There has been a 10% increase in the number of fatalities on Irish roads so far in 2023 compared to the same time last year.
New figures released ahead of the St Patrick's Bank Holiday weekend also show that over 1,500 people have been arrested for driving while intoxicated since the start of the year.
937 people have been detected drink-driving, while 584 motorists have been caught drug-driving.
The data shows that across the St Patrick's Day period last year, gardaí made 72 drink-driving arrests, while 33 people were detained for driving under the influence of drugs.
34 of the detections took place in the morning time between 6am and 12pm.
The latest roads policing statistics from An Garda Síochána also show that as of 9am today, 40 people have lost their lives in incidents, four more than the same period in 2022.
The figure is almost 18% higher than the pre-pandemic level of 34 up to 14 March 2019.
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The Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority says "the figures for 2023 to date indicate that 50% of fatalities are 35 years of age or younger".
Sam Waide says "for the whole of last year, this age group accounted for 32% of fatalities".
He says "there is a particular need for younger people to make good choices when using the roads this weekend, including avoiding driving while impaired, through drink or drugs or a combination of both".
Gardaí will have a visible presence across the country over the coming days, with a particular focus over the St Patrick's Bank Holiday weekend on driving under the influence.
The Assistant Garda Commissioner for Roads Policing and Community Engagement says "getting behind the wheel having consumed alcohol or drugs is a no, no".
Paula Hilman says "we want people to have a really good time but in terms of road safety our message is clear, never ever drink and drive".
She says "what we are seeing is really an increase in drink-driving again and we're heading back to pre-Covid detections".
Assistant Commissioner Hilman says gardaí are also "continuing to detect many more people getting behind the wheel having taken drugs as well".
Gardaí and the RSA say the key message over the coming days is for people to enjoy themselves but to do so safely and responsibly.
