January 13, 2026 | Roads Policing and Safety Cameras , Traffic Offences
Request Number: FOI/16521
Category: Roads Policing and Safety Cameras - Traffic Offences
Subject: Christmas Drink Driving Campaign
Request and Answer:
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold some information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.
We further consider the information you seek in question number 1 exempt by virtue of Section 21 of FOIA and have detailed our rationale as to why this exemption applies. We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which we have followed in responding to your request.
Question 1
In the Christmas drink driving campaign for 2024/25 (last year)
How many did the PSNI claim they arrested to the press and social media for drink driving or under the influence of drugs?
Answer
Section 17(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires the Police Service of Northern Ireland, when refusing to provide such information (because the information is exempt) to provide you the applicant with a notice which:
(a) states that fact,
(b) specifies the exemption in question and
(c) states (if not otherwise apparent) why the exemption applies.
The exemption/s, as well as the factors the Department considered when deciding where the public interest lies, are listed below:
Section 21 - Information Reasonably Accessible by Other Means
The full text of exemptions can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk and further guidance on how they operate can be located on the Information Commissioners Office website www.ico.org.uk.
Section 21(1) – Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant otherwise than under section 1 is exempt information.
The number of arrests during the 2024/25 Christmas drink/drug drive campaign was published on 23rd January 2025 and can be found on the PSNI website at the following link:
https://www.psni.police.uk/sites/default/files/2025-01/Christmas%20drink_drug%20driving%20campaign%20bulletin%202024_25.pdf
Question 2
Of those arrested how many were above the legal limit and were recommended for prosecution.
Answer
There were 262 persons referred for prosecution for drink/drug driving offences detected between 1st December 2024 and 1st January 2025. It should be noted that this includes offences for driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs and failing to provide a specimen, therefore it cannot be interpreted that all persons were above the legal limit.
Please note:
1. Figures are provisional and subject to change.
2. The figures in Question 2 are a count of the unique individuals referred for prosecution. It is possible that a person was arrested more than once during the specified time period.
3. The total number of offences referred for prosecution is likely to be higher since a person can be referred for prosecution for more than one offence.