When will the Bill be introduced?

Following publication, the Bill will be considered by the Oireachtas. It is up to the Dall Whips to allocate the Bill speaking time. Once the Bill has been finalised and approved by the Oireachtas, the commencement of the new Road Traffic Act will proceed.

INTOXICATED DRIVING

See RSA Website www.drinkdriving.ie for detailed information on drink driving

What drink driving (or BAC) limits are proposed?

The proposal is to lower the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) from 80mg of alcohol (per 100 ml of blood) to 20 mg for learner, novice and professional drivers, and from 80mg of alcohol (per 100 ml of blood) to 50 mg for other drivers. The equivalent levels in urine and breath will apply.

How much alcohol can be consumed to ensure compliance with the new legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 50mg?

Individual metabolism of alcohol and reactions to vary from person to person and with a variety of factors, including body mass, fatigue, whether or not food has been taken, time elapsed. However the simple fact is that any alcohol impairs driving, affecting vision, judgement, co-ordination and reaction time. This increases the risk of a collision, with potential consequences for the driver, any passengers, and other road users.

For further information on this issue check this website: www.drinkaware.ie

What effect will these new drink driving limits have on people’s social life, particularly in rural Ireland?

This measure will bring further changes to driver behaviour and the personal choices made in relation to drinking and driving generally. It will be an adjustment for some, but many already take on board the implications of alcohol and are not drinking and driving. Collisions, deaths and injuries on our roads and their traumatic effects on families and communities are also social issues in both rural and urban areas.