Drink Driving IrelandNEWS AND PRESS RELEASES

New transport and logistics body president supports proposal to reduce drink-driving limit

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: 22 October 2009
SOURCE: Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport calls on all parties to support Minister Dempsey’s proposal.

The new President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Paul Mallee, has said the Institute fully supports the proposal by the Minister for Transport to reduce the drink-driving limit.

Road Traffic Bill 2009 - Explanatory and Financial Memorandum

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the Bill is to :

provide for a reduction in the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers;
revise associated penalties, including driver disqualifications;
provide for the mandatory alcohol testing of drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles involved in road traffic collisions;
clarify the minimum disqualification period that must be served before a driver may apply to the courts for the restoration of their licence, following the imposition of a disqualification order;
provide powers to assist the Gardaí in forming the opinion that the driver is or is not under the influence of an intoxicant (drug or drugs) and to carry out a Preliminary Impairment Test on such drivers;
provide a consolidation and restatement of the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts relating to intoxicated driving
provide for amendments to certain fixed charge and penalty point matters;
improve certain provisions relating to driving licences;
provide for a number of minor amendments to the Road Traffic Acts.

IAEM calls on Minister to reduce the Drink Driving limit as soon as possible

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: 30 October 2009
SOURCE: The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine warmly welcomes the Minister for Transport, Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D.’s proposed legislative change to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit in drivers from 80 to 50 mg/dl. The reduction in death and injury which would result from this measure outweighs all other concerns which have been raised by groups opposing the change. Reducing the limit offers a clear signal that Ireland will not tolerate drink driving.

Rise in support for reducing drink-drive limit

PRESS RELEASE

DATE: 27th October 2009
SOURCE: AA Ireland

The AA has conducted a major survey of motorists’ opinion which shows that support for reducing the drink drive limit has increased. According to responses collected from 7,000 Irish motorists over the October bank holiday weekend, 63.9% are in favour of reducing the alcohol limit to 50 mgs, an increase of almost 3% on the 61.1% approval rate when a similar poll was conducted last year. 27.9% of respondents are opposed to the change.