Coroner queries drink-drive limit

A CORONER for the county with the country’s worst record on road deaths has said a lower legal alcohol limit will not significantly reduce the carnage.

Dr John Madden, who chairs inquests for Donegal North East, said lowering the limit to 50mg/100ml would punish people who are not dangerous. People who died in road accidents where drink had been a factor were more likely to have alcohol levels three times the current limit, he said.

In his 14 years as coroner, he said, people whose alcohol levels which would be deemed illegal under the proposals “rarely, if at all, feature at local inquests”.