Blanket ban on drink driving would not save lives: Publicans

The organisation that represents publicans outside Dublin has denounced plans by Transport Minister Shane Ross to strengthen drink-driving laws, saying there is no evidence to support his assertion that the move would save lives.

Mr Ross’s proposal for a blanket ban for drink-drivers would not save lives on the roads, according to Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland.

The group is holding its annual general meeting in Athlone and high on the agenda is the minister’s proposal, which is based on his reading of a report by the Road Safety Authority on drink-related accidents between 2008 and 2012.