Women urged to warn drink drivers

MOTHERS, sisters and girlfriends were urged yesterday to warn male family members and partners against drink driving as the bank holiday gets underway.

A Road Safety Authority survey found that nine out of 10 women found men who drink and drive a “major turn off”.

The research of 300 women conducted by Lansdowne Market Research revealed that up to 91% of women would also never accept a lift from a man who had drunk alcohol.

In fact, many women viewed them as “killers”.

“If I found out that my fella had been drinking and driving, he’d be history. Anyone who drinks and drives is a loser,” one young female told researchers.

For many women, saying no to drink driving was more important than the cleanliness, appearance or mood of men.

As the weekend exodus began last night, authority chief executive Noel Brett told people to steer clear of men with drink on them getting behind the wheel.

“To anyone thinking of getting into a car with a driver who has drunk alcohol, don’t — do you really want to place your life in these guys’ hands? I want to make an appeal to the one group who have influence over young male drivers — women. That’s mothers, sisters and girlfriends. Talk some sense into your men.”

The June bank holiday weekend has claimed 31 lives since 2000. Some 90% of drivers who die in drink related car crashes are male.

Motorists planning to socialise were asked yesterday to plan ahead, or to organise taxi collections or designated drivers. Drivers were also warned that gardaí will be conducting “extensive” mandatory alcohol testing.

Gardaí said yesterday that about 44,000 speeding offences were recorded from January to April this year. In addition, there were 4,500 drink driving arrests for the first quarter, an increase of more than 27% on 2006.

Pedestrians on roads were also asked to walk facing oncoming traffic, use footpaths, pedestrian and designated crossings where available and wear bright clothing or reflective bands.

This year, 36 pedestrians have been killed on roads.

Meanwhile, people are being urged to play safe when engaging in aquatic pursuits this June bank holiday weekend.

Each year, upwards of 60 people drown in accidents that are often avoidable.

Now an initiative has been launched by Irish Water Safety and leading cruise company Emerald Star to promote safety on the water. Irish Water Safety chief executive John Leech said: “I am appealing to all members of the public this weekend to wear a life jacket — no matter what the aquatic pursuit they are involved in.”