'Consider how you will get home': Cork fire officer appeals to public not to drink and drive at Christmas 

A SECOND officer with Cork City Fire Brigade is pleading with people not to drink and drive this Christmas following a 13% increase in motorists travelling under the influence.

Some 289 drivers were detected driving under the influence in 2023 according to Cork City Joint Policing Committee data presented recently.

This is compared to 255 motorists identified for the same offence this time last year.

Second officer at Cork City Fire Brigade, Victor Shine expressed concern about the figures, urging people to consider their travel plans this year.

“When people are going out socialising they need to consider how they are going to get there and how to get home. Obviously drinking and driving is going to put other road users at risk. It’s an emergency that can be prevented and it’s by no means acceptable.”

He said that firefighters have seen an increased number of traffic collisions in recent weeks.

“Road collisions have increased in the last couple of weeks. I couldn’t comment on whether any of them are as a result of drink and drugs but there have been a lot on the road. We would support the Christmas message for people to be cognisant of the dangers of drink and drug driving.”

Mr Shine added that cyclists should also be vigilant about obeying the law.

“It’s not just motorists that are driving under the influence. It’s important that everyone has an appropriate way of getting home because the last thing we want to see is people getting injured. Drink driving doesn’t just impact one person. The impact can also devastate entire families.”

Fine Gael Cork North West Councillor Damien Boylan said the message that driving drunk kills is not hitting home for people.

“I don’t know how stupid a person can be to drive while drunk when there are so many options out there with regard to transport. Anyone who is caught should face the full rigours of the law. I don’t feel sorry for anyone who is caught drink driving knowing the potential damage it can do. However, I do feel sorry for people who have had their lives altered as a result of someone else’s actions.”

Independent Cork North East councillor Ken O’Flynn noted that committing a drink driving offence results in a minimum driving disqualification period of three months and he said it is “imperative for individuals to comprehend how such a ban would profoundly affect their daily lives.”