Drink-driving figures 'up by 10%'

There were 24 road deaths due to drink driving last year

The number of people in Northern Ireland caught drink driving is up 10% on the same period last year, according to latest figures.

The police said they had detected 1,563 drink drivers - up 123 on the same period for 2005.

There were 24 road deaths due to drink driving last year, seven of those occurring during the summer months.

It comes as the summer anti-drink driving campaign was launched ahead of the World Cup.

The Department of Environment and the PSNI said drink driving was one of the major single causes of road death and serious injuries and officers would be robustly enforcing the law.

Just one drink will impair a person's ability to drive safely, they said.

DoE road safety spokesperson Harry Green said: "Football fans' excitement is growing as the kick-off for the World Cup draws nearer and the GAA championship gets into full swing.

"We share sporting highs and lows with friends, often over a drink. Whatever you are celebrating or commiserating - remember to make safe travel arrangements before you take that first drink."

Superintendent Bill Brown, head of road policing development branch, said: "Drink driving kills. Drink driving causes serious injuries. And the shame of it is that those deaths and injuries are unnecessary and avoidable."