Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson is urging motorists to slow down, put their phones away and never drive under the influence after a winter enforcement campaign uncovered thousands of offences across Northern Ireland.

A senior officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland is appealing to all road users and motorists to focus on road safety to reduce the number of people injured and killed in traffic collisions.

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson made the appeal as preliminary figures released on Friday 23 January reveal an average of nine arrests per day during the Police Service's winter anti-drink/drug drive campaign, which ran from 1 December 2025 to 1 January 2026.

During the operation, 288 arrests were made for drink/drug driving, compared with 300 during last year's campaign. Those arrested ranged in age from 14 to 82. The highest detection was 172μg/100ml — almost five times the legal limit of 35μg/100ml.

Initial figures indicate there were around 5,200 preliminary breath tests conducted throughout the campaign.

Over the same period, preliminary figures show almost 5,700 excess speed offences were detected by the Road Safety Partnership and the PSNI. Police officers also recorded 35 offences for not wearing a seat belt and 75 for using a mobile phone while driving. "When we launched our winter anti-drink and drug drive operation, we appealed directly to drivers not to take any risks by drinking or taking drugs and driving, and to pay particular attention to road safety," said Chief Superintendent Donaldson.

"Despite our repeated appeals, and road safety efforts, the level of detections are shocking. All of these drivers made a conscious decision to drive in the way they did. Their selfish and reckless actions placed themselves, their passengers and all other road users in danger."

In 2025, 56 people died on Northern Ireland's roads. To date this year, four people have died on roads in Northern Ireland.

"These are more than statistics," said Chief Superintendent Donaldson These deaths are catastrophic, devastating losses for loved ones left behind, for their friends and communities.

"Our roads are busy places and all road users and motorists share the responsibility for road safety. Poor driving, bad decisions behind the wheel – it's all preventable.

"My appeal to everyone is before you start your road journey, take a moment to think about the responsibility you have driving. Think about your safety, that of your passengers and of all other roads users.

"Slow down, stay off your phone when you're driving, don't get careless, always wear your seat belt and never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

"Driving requires 100 percent of your attention and focus, and all of us can and must pay particular attention to road safety to reduce the number of people injured and killed on our roads."