It's Your Choice - Who is taking you home this Christmas

SDCC and An Garda Síochána are raising awareness through this multi-agency campaign, about the stark realities and devastating consequences of driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs this festive season. This initiative urges people across the county to think ahead, make safer choices, and ensure they have a plan to get home safely and responsibly.

Christmas is a time of celebration and togetherness, but it can also lead to moments of poor judgment. In December 2024, there was a noticeable spike in both fatal and serious road collisions compared to the monthly averages earlier that year.

The “Who is taking you home this Christmas?” awareness campaign aims to draw attention to the safe transport options, encouraging people to plan ahead, before they head out and a reminder that one decision can change a life forever.

To promote safer behaviour the campaign places emphasis on the following:

• Think ahead – who is driving, are you sharing a taxi, where are you are staying.
• Know the public transport available so you are not leaving it to chance while under the influence.
• The morning after – make sure you are not still under the influence before you or your friends get behind the wheel.

Speaking on the campaign,  Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr. Pamela Kearns said, “Christmas should be a time of joy for families, not tragedy. We are urging everyone to plan their journey home this Christmas, so that one avoidable decision doesn’t change lives and leave families grieving forever.”

Superintendent Tom Murphy of the National Roads Policing Bureau said ‘ An Garda Siochana launched our Christmas Road Safety Campaign on Monday 1st December and it will run until Monday 5th January, 2026.  So far this year 172 people have tragically lost their lives on Irish Roads, that’s 172 empty seats on Christmas Day.  I am appealing to all road users to stop and think about road safety this festive season.  There will be a targeted approach to Drink and Drug driving, with a zero- tolerance approach.  Please make the right decision this Christmas season.

Road Safety Officer with South Dublin County Council Orlaith Maguire said  ‘Fatal and serious collisions are not just statistics, there is a person behind every number, families and communities being torn apart by grief.  By planning ahead this Christmas, you can help keep our roads a safer place for everyone, the question you have to ask yourself is Could you live with the Shame?’

In conjunction with this awareness campaign, a ‘Gift of a Lift’ can be shared with loved ones this Christmas. This card can be downloaded here