www.drinkdriving.ie Aims to Dispel the Myths on Drink-Driving

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a new website aimed at dispelling the myths surrounding drink driving. As the issue continues to be debated on national and local airwaves, www.drinkdriving.ie has been set up to provide members of the public with factual information on the effects of drinking and driving and its role in road deaths and serious injuries.

“We know that there are some people out there who simply don’t know the facts about drink driving and why it is important that the limit is reduced from 0.08 to 0.05,” said Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority. “But we also know that there are people out there that are intent on putting out incorrect information, inaccurate data and simply untrue statements about drink driving. It’s time for us to provide people with the facts.”

“It’s estimated that alcohol is a contributory factor 1 in 3 fatal collisions. This is a fact. At the current limit, you are six times more likely to be involved in a collision. This is also a fact. But the most important fact of all is that lives will be saved by reducing the drink drive limit. I would urge anyone who is following the debate on this issue to visit the website and get informed and then decide what is more important – a life saved, or a drink had,” Mr Brett concluded.

The website includes sections that explore the Myths and Facts surrounding drink driving, using research from Ireland, the EU and other countries where the lower limit has been introduced and consequently, lives have been saved. It also highlights public attitudes towards drink driving, as well as providing further information on the recommendations to reduce the drink driving limit. There is also an opportunity for members of the public to email questions or comments directly to the RSA.

ENDS
For further information:
RSA Communications Office, Ballina: 096 25008

 
Editor’s Note:
Drink Driving – Fast Facts:
• Drink driving is a male problem.
• Alcohol is estimated to be a contributory factor in 1 in 3 fatal collisions.
• In 1 in 4 fatal crashes, the driver had consumed alcohol
• Any alcohol impairs driving and increases the risk of collision.
• At half the current limit, drivers are twice as likely to be involved in a collision. At the current limit (0.08g/dL) drivers are six times more likely to have a collision.
• Alcohol is twice as potent when you are a tired driver.
• Almost 1 in 5 drivers killed on our roads, where alcohol was present, were under the legal limit when they died.
• 92 lives were saved in the first 12 months following the introduction of Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) on 21st July 2006.
• About three out of every four drivers – an increasing majority – are in favour of the introduction of a lower drink driving limit and two thirds now support a zero limit for all drivers.
• 87% of the public say that drinking and driving is extremely shameful. In fact they say it’s more shameful than speeding, shop lifting, adultery and tax evasion.
• The UK (0.08) and Malta (0.09) are the only other EU countries with the same or higher drink drive level compared to Ireland.
• All of the available evidence from research indicates that reducing the legal limit of BAC from the current limit of 0.08 to 0.05 will reduce the risk of being involved in a road traffic collision, and consequently will save lives and prevent serious injuries.
• Ireland is among the highest alcohol consuming countries in the EU according to research published on November 1st 2007 by the Health Research Board.
• Any amount of alcohol impairs driving and increases risk – so the only safe advice is to NEVER EVER drink and drive.
• The aim of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2007 - 2012, is to reduce collisions, deaths and injuries on Irish roads by 30%. This means 400 lives could be saved by the end of 2012.

For further information on the facts on drink driving in Ireland, visit www.drinkdriving.ie