The number of people in Waterford caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increased by almost 30 per cent for the year to date.

Figures revealed at a meeting of the Waterford Joint Policing committee showed that gardai have made 44 arrests for the first quarter of 2019, compared to 34 up to March 2018.

Gardai also seized 100 vehicles at traffic stops across the City and County between January and March.

Superintendent Chris Delaney says the increase in numbers driving under the influence is a cause for concern.

“That in itself, even though it’s one quarter, is disturbing.

“It’s something we’ll be allocating additional resources to.

“Once we see the signs that there’s a percentage of people who are willing to take a chance in relation to drink driving or driving under the influence of drugs, we have to act and inforce.

“It’s important to let the public know that we will be doing that.”

He says that testing for drug-driving is becoming more commonplace.

“We also have new equipment for testing people who may have consumed drugs.

Superintendent Delaney wants to remind people that drugs taken days earlier can remain in your system and be detected.

He added that drugs are “against the law and potentially [the driver] could be arrested”.