Police have made 494 drink-driving arrests since the beginning of March - 14 of which involved the same driver.
PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne told the Policing Board today figures were "a cause for concern" since there are fewer cars on the road due to the coronavirus lockdown measures.
He added that some of those involved were displaying "a devil-may-care" attitude.
[ READ MORE: Donegal man turned back while driving to Cork to collect pupOpens in new window ]
Mr Byrne discussed the risk of domestic violence during the pandemic at the monthly Policing Board meeting.
The number of cases reported per week has increased from 570 to 630.
Mr Byrne said: "There have been occasions where the levels of violence has appeared to be extreme.
"Sadly, sometimes people have lost their lives.
"Some people have been badly injured, with life-changing injuries.
"It is something that we are watching closely."
PSNI chief constable Mr Byrne told the Policing Board his officers had drawn up a "most wanted" list of 75 suspects.
They have made 38 arrests and charged 18 people.
He said Northern Ireland had not seen the same level of investment as elsewhere in the UK in domestic abuse advocates.
The Policing Board also heard about the PSNI's involvement in policing coronavirus restrictions.
PSNI assistant chief constable Alan Todd told the board the process of amending social movement restrictions would be "complex" from a policing perspective.
"I don't anticipate a seismic change this weekend," he said.
Mr Todd, assistant chief constable in charge of the Covid-19 response, said it was time for more designation of its coronavirus roles to other bodies as more businesses were opened.
He said that was particularly important since there had been a tendency towards increased breaches of the restrictions elsewhere.
"That time is here and the sooner we get that from my perspective the better."
