Fresh Drink-Drive Plans To Be Revealed

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is to outline fresh plans to lower the drink-driving limit at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party this evening.

A number of backbench TDs are expressing concern over the lowering the legal blood alcohol limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood, which they say is too low.

However, a number of organisations have come out in support of the plan, with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which also supports the move, saying Ireland and Britain are the only countries in Europe that still have an 80mg limit.

The Irish Medical Organisation has also called for the limit to be lowered.

Mr Dempsey is expected to say that the new legislation has been approved by the Cabinet and will be published next week.

The news comes as the RSA announces it will be holding the second European Night Without Accident event on Saturday 18th October as part of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’.

The initiative is aimed at promoting responsible behaviour behind the wheel among young adults.

The initiative is run by young adult volunteers who encourage groups of youngsters entering night-clubs to identify a ‘designated driver’ for the night.

The ‘designated driver’ is given a wrist-band to show their intention to stay alcohol-free for the night. When leaving the night-club, the ‘designated driver’ is invited to be voluntarily breathalysed by the volunteers to see if the commitment was honoured.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: ‘We are delighted to host the second ‘European Night Without Accident’ in Ireland as part of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’. Last year, the initiative was a great success with the majority of young people demonstrating positive attitudes to not drinking and driving. So this year, we are urging everyone planning a night out on the town to be equally responsible.

“Don’t get behind the wheel of the car if you have been drinking. Look for an alternative mode of transport. Remember, just one drink impairs driving. So let’s make sure that this weekend, and every weekend, is free from drink driving and free from collisions on our roads,” he urged.

(DW/KMcA)