'People who go for their social drink are no danger to road safety'

A Fine Gael councillor and publican has claimed the wrong people are being targeted by the crackdown on drink-driving in rural areas.

Owner of the local pub in Donohill in west Tipperary, Cllr John Crosse, said the real dangers on Irish roads were posed by boy racers and/or those driving after taking drugs.

“I’ve no problem with guards being visible in country areas or where there are accident blackspots, but Johnny or Mick or Paddy going home after his half-one and glass of stout is no danger to the safety of people on the roads. I have an issue with boy racers. They’re targeting the wrong areas.

“People who go for their social drink are no danger whatsoever to road safety. It makes a mockery of the law when there are fellas in high-powered cars, high on drugs and causing accidents.”

Mr Crosse reports a 15% to 20% cut in business at his pub since random breath testing was introduced.

“Pubs have been closing down in my area but I know it’s the same in every part of the county and the country,” he said.

“There’s huge concern about lads who would normally come out and enjoy a drink with a game of cards, and now they’re isolated and afraid to come out because of the dangers of random breath testing.”

According to the Fine Gael member of South Tipperary County Council, the fear of being caught the morning after a night out is always present.

“You take a couple going out for a meal and a drink who get a taxi home.

“They could spend a fortune on taxi fare and be bagged the next morning and lose their jobs.”

Mr Crosse called for thought to be given to remote areas like Donohill.

“Gay Byrne is doing a good job but he’s not taking into consideration rural Ireland. There’s no public transport or taxis.

“You could wait hours and hours in a rural area for a taxi.”

He called for “a more common-sense, practical approach” to road safety.