Gardaí say they are very concerned at the levels of drink driving on the country's roads.
As the first week of the seasonal drink driving campaign comes to a close, gardai noted a 19% rise in the number of offending drivers compared to the same week last year.
297 drivers were arrested on suspicion of drink driving this week compared to 249 in 2003.
90% of those arrested were men, with a third of them aged between 20 and 29.
Gardaí say it is clear that the message that people who drink and drive cause death is not getting through to the public.
