What are the existing legal limits?
The existing limits are:
- 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.08)
- 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine or
- 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
The new legal limits for fully licenced drivers in Category B are:
- 50 milligrammes (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.05)
- 67 milligrammes (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine or
- 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
The new legal limits for professional, learner and novice drivers are:
- 20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.02)
- 27 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine or
- 9 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
What is the evidence to support this change?
The literature on the effects of alcohol on driving is very extensive and very consistent; alcohol in almost any amount impairs driving or driving related skills. Moskowitz & Robinson, 1988, reviewed 177 studies and Moskowitz & Fiorentino, 2000, reviewed 112 studies in reports by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in the USA.
Analysis provided by the Policy Advisory Panel to the RSA indicates that between 5 to 10 lives and 50 to 100 serious injuries could be avoided annually. When this is combined with other enforcement activities, particularly a reduction in average speed across the road network, the figures for lives saved and serious injuries prevented will increase (RSA, 2008).
How do we know the reduction in the BAC will save lives and prevent injuries?
Reducing the BAC will save lives and prevent serious injuries. It is one of many measures designed to bring Ireland into the company of ‘best practice’ countries. Reducing the BAC is most effective when the average speed across the road network falls – even by as little as 5km/h. It is the combination of alcohol and speed that is catastrophic, particularly for young and inexperienced drivers.
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