Six ‘drug drivers’ arrested locally – new figures

HALF a dozen people have been arrested locally while driving under the influence of drugs.

It is the first time ‘drug driving’ figures have been released by the Department of Justice since new legislation allowing gardai to test drivers for drugs came into effect in April last year.

Since then gardai have carried out at least 45 drug tests in the Kilkenny-Carlow area. Local gardai have manned almost 2,000 checkpoints during the same period, carrying out more than 9,500 breath tests. A total of 108 of these tested positive for being over the legal alcohol limit.

Six people tested positive for being on drugs, ranging from cannabis to cocaine, while driving.