Drink driving young men a real problem, says RSA
Transport Minister Shane Ross described the figures as “pretty shocking”, saying there was “little doubt” the figure had gone up further since the analysis.
A detailed report by the Road Safety Authority, examining fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012, found alcohol was a “contributory factor” in 38% of cases involving drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Drivers of cars and motorcycles were involved in 29% of all cases, and three out of four of these were aged between 16 and 34.
RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said the perception that young people don’t drink and drive was “blown out of the water” by the findings.
Professor Denis Cusack, director of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, said there was a “real problem” with young male drivers at night.
The report, Fatal Collisions 2008-2012: Alcohol as a Factor, examined 867 of the 983 fatal collisions on roads during the period 2008 to 2012. Of the 867 cases, alcohol was cited as a contributory factor in 330.
Of the 330 fatal collisions: 217 involved drivers (66%); 76 involved pedestrians (23%); 28 involved motorcyclists; five involved both drivers and pedestrians; and four involved cyclists.
The report said half of all drivers (cars and motorbikes) who were drinking had a blood alcohol level in excess of 201mg, or four times the limit. A quarter of drivers had levels above 251mg, five times the limit.
It added: “The greatest proportion of those in the 16 to 24 and 25 to 34 age groups had in excess of 201mg of alcohol in their system.”
Mr Ross said the findings were “seriously at odds” with his own preconceptions. He said the report served as a “wake-up call”, while there was “very little doubt” that since 2012 the figure had risen above 38%.
He said there was anecdotal evidence of insufficient garda checkpoints. He said there was a need to review the road-safety strategy and media campaigns.
Ms Murdock said the increased number of fatal collisions since 2005-2007 involving drivers drinking was “deeply worrying”.
She said: “It is shocking to see that alcohol is still a significant factor. It shows that while we all understand in theory that we shouldn’t drink and drive or walk home drunk, we still have not fully eradicated the practice and, even more harrowing, was the sheer number of young people — young men, in particular — who lost their lives on our roads as a result of alcohol.”
Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said more than 3,000 people had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving this year and he warned drivers gardaí would be out over the coming bank holiday weekend.
“Drink driving is one of the most selfish and dangerous things you can do. Not only are you putting your own life at risk, you’re putting other people’s lives at risk,” he said.
Prof Cusack said that of the 3,000 people, the average was two times over the drink driving limit and 40% were three times over.
He said half of the drivers were aged under 34. He said there was a “real problem” with young male drivers at night time hours.
