A top Garda has said that An Garda Síochána personnel will be visible across the country over the forthcoming June Bank Holiday weekend doing their best to keep people safe on our roads with an emphasis on driving under the influence.
“Alcohol and drugs impair peoples’ judgement” said Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, “intoxicated driving is a major factor in serious injury and fatal collisions on our roads. I appeal to people to drive safely and not to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs” she added.
“If you are stopped and fail a roadside test, think of the implications, you could receive a disqualification from driving. How will this impact on you socially, domestically or professionally?”
Ms Hilman was speaking after new research released today by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) found that a quarter of drivers surveyed agreed that there were times when they may have been over the drink driving limit when driving the morning after a night out.
The Driver Attitudes and Behaviour Survey carried out in December 2020, also found that 9% of motorists admit to consuming alcohol before driving in the past twelve months, with the figure higher amongst men (12%) than women (5%).
The figures are being published ahead of the June Bank Holiday Weekend as An Garda Síochána, the RSA and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety appeal to all road users not to drink and drive.
Ms Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said: “Drink driving is viewed by most people in this country as anti-social behaviour and completely unacceptable, yet there are some who persist in this dangerous behaviour.
“Many people will be meeting up outdoors across the country to socialise with family and friends this weekend. If you are planning on drinking remember that alcohol and driving do not mix. Designate a driver who will not drink to ensure that you all can get home safely. Whatever you do don’t drink and drive and understand that you could still be unfit to drive the morning after.”
Mr Sam Waide, CEO of the RSA, said that he is concerned at the numbers who are getting behind the wheel the morning after with drink on board.
“Drink driving is drink driving no matter what time of the day or week it happens” he said. “The morning after is a real danger zone for drink driving.”
An analysis of Garda Síochána files for fatal collisions, by the RSA, shows that 11% of fatal collisions, in which a driver had consumed alcohol, occurred between 7am and 11am.
“There is no hard and fast rule about when it is safe to drive the morning after if you have been drinking the previous night. But motorists should allow at least one hour per standard drink for the alcohol to clear their system” Mr. Waide said.
“A standard drink is a half-pint, a small glass of wine or a standard measure of spirits. Also, if drinking at home, you may be unknowingly consuming larger measures and therefore increasing the risk that you are unsafe to drive the following morning. The key is never to take chances, don’t risk it, you could end up losing your licence or worse.”
47 people have died on our roads in 2021. We want everyone to enjoy this Bank Holiday Weekend and to be safe on our roads, so I appeal to every driver to be responsible, and never, ever, drink and drive.”
Fourteen people have been killed and 64 seriously injured over June Bank Holiday weekends between 2016 and 2020.
