Later nightclub openings will lead to more road deaths, RSA warns

The RSA letter's opposing the Sale of Alcohol Bill legislation draws attention to Ireland's 'significant problem with drink-driving'.

New laws to allow nightclubs to open until 6am and pubs until 2.30am will lead to more trauma and deaths on Irish roads, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned the Government.

The chair of the RSA Board, Liz O’Donnell, has written to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, and junior minister Jack Chambers urging them to stop progressing the legislation on late-night openings. 

The letter, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, was sent on January 31, urging ministers to pause for an assessment of a potential rise in fatalities on the roads.

Just last week, however, Mr Varadkar said he wanted the new late-night bar laws passed as soon as possible and has been “pressing” Ms McEntee to progress the bill. 

In the letter, Ms O’Donnell said she was writing to “express concern” about the Sale of Alcohol Bill which includes the extension of normal licensing hours of bars and restaurants from 11.30pm to 12.30am, the facilitating of late-night opening of bars to 2.30am, and the extension of nightclub hours to 6am.

The RSA letter draws attention to Ireland’s “significant problem with drink-driving”, with a national survey last year finding one in 10 drivers reported driving after drinking.

It also pointed to data around driver fatalities, with toxicology results finding 37% had tested positive alcohol between 2015 and 2019, and 56% of these crashes occurred between 10pm and 6am. 

Last year, the State witnessed the highest number of road deaths in nine years, at 188 fatalities, with a high proportion occurring at weekends, late at night, and early in the morning, Ms O'Donnell wrote.

She said the proposed legislation will “jeopardise” the Government’s targets to reduce the number of road deaths by 50% by 2030 and achieve zero deaths and injuries by 2050.

She said the RSA is "concerned" the law will "increase trauma on our roads".

“In light of these tragic statistics, the RSA is concerned that later licensing/opening hours for bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will have a further negative impact on road safety in Ireland, particularly in the absence of significant increases in road policing numbers.

“International research indicates that such extensions can increase drink-driving and increase road traffic collisions on rural roads,” she wrote.

“We understand that the intention of this bill is to benefit the night-time economy. However, it must be recognised that the estimated cost of a single, fatal road traffic collision is €3.6m.

“It must also be recognised that this figure does not even begin to cover the terrible human and societal costs that the loss of a loved one in such devastating circumstances incurs," she added.

Responding to Ms O’Donnell, Mr Chambers said that, while there remains a large number of steps in the process before the bill is enacted into law, he and his officials will share her concerns with Ms McEntee.

The chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland, Dr Sheila Gilheany, said there will be wider health implications if the law goes ahead.

“An Taoiseach is quite clear that he wants extended alcohol licensing hours," she said.

“What is not so clear is the rationale for this and whether the Government has considered the likely impacts across multiple public services.

“We cannot play this kind of Russian roulette with our nation’s health.”