P.20 Drink and drug driving: The number of arrests for drink/drug driving offences in 2022 was 3,121 resulting in 2,977 drink/drug driving offences being referred for prosecution, with the worst offender being more than 5 times over the limit (Table 9). This is a decrease from 3,441 arrests and 3,063 offences referred for prosecution in 2012, a decrease of 9% and 3% respectively. Drink/drug driving continues to be a major contributor in fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions as ‘impaired by alcohol/drugs – driver/rider’ was the 2nd most common principal causation factor for KSI casualties between January and November 20228 . Further analysis identifying issues and trends in relation to fatal and serious collisions caused by drink driving has been completed by Department for Infrastructure

Almost half (46%) of drink/drug driving offences were detected at the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and the month with most detections for drink/drug driving offences was August with 306 detections, counting for 10% of the total (Table 8).

Of the 11 Policing Districts, Belfast City recorded the highest number of drink drug driving offence detections in 2022 (519), however Mid Ulster recorded the highest rate per 10,000 population aged 16+, with 27. Lisburn and Castlereagh had the fewest detections (158) and, alongside Ards and North Down, had the lowest rate per 10,000 population aged 16+, with 13 (Figure 16).