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Cops have revealed they nabbed just two people for drink driving after breath testing 462 motorists.

As part of a roads blitz called Operation Artery, Gardai set-up several Super MAT (Mandatory Alcohol Testing) checkpoints in the Dublin area between 12.30 and 1.30am on Sunday.

Checkpoints were set up on Ballymun Avenue, N11 Stillorgan Road, N7 Clondalkin, N81 Spawell and R136 Ballyowen Road.

A total of 1,100 vehicles went through the checkpoints, with 462 drivers breath tested and two arrests for suspected drink driving.

There were also 21 fixed charge penalty notices issued for road traffic offences and six vehicle seizures for displaying no tax, no NCT or for operating as an unregistered taxi.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said they were pleased that the vast majority of drivers were compliant with the law.

He said: “We ran a series of highly visible checkpoints around the Dublin area targeting intoxicated driving.

“This is the second weekend in a row that we have conducted checkpoints simultaneously as part of this operation.

“I would like to thank motorists for their co-operation during these checkpoints and as the figures show the vast majority of people tested were compliant with the legislation.”

Asst Cmmr Twomey also said the operation should serve as a warning for those who continue to drink and drive.

He said: “I want to also send a very strong message to all drivers and remind them that members of An Garda Síochána are out all around the country, day and night, targeting intoxicated driving. The message is clear, Never ever drink and drive.

“There was considerable Garda enforcement activity over the Christmas campaign, I want to stress that our enforcement will continue throughout the year.

“It is totally unacceptable that some people continue to drink and drive.”

He added that Gardai were appealing to all road users to never drink before getting behind the wheel.

He said: “Our appeal for 2014 is for every road user to make it their New Year’s resolution to be as safe as possible on the roads.

“Never drink and drive and never get into a car with a driver who has consumed alcohol. Every road user must be responsible on the road.”

In 2013, 190 people were killed on our roads, representing the first increase since 2005.

It was an increase of 28 deaths on the previous year, when 162 people were killed.