A four kilometre threshold for drivers will be enforced by police this summer as part of a targeted road safety campaign.
Secretary for Transport and chairman of the National Road Safety Committee Martin Matthews said targeting impaired drivers would be a strong focus to avoid road crashes.
Every driver stopped could expect to be breath tested.
National manager of road policing Superintendent Stephen Greally said the current annual road toll was higher than last year's.
"It's important to remember each and every number in the road toll represents a lost life - a parent, child, brother, sister or friend who will be greatly missed," Mr Greally said.