4. Identification of Costs, Benefits and Impacts

(i) Risks and assumptions

The Road Safety Strategy 2007 – 2012, approved by Government, identifies the need to legislate for and introduce a reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level for drivers. If not proceeded with, the risk is that the Road Safety Strategy itself, and by extension Government policy on road safety in general, will be seriously compromised.

(ii) Costs

Whereas there may be no additional costs with option 1, the overall impact and cost of serious injuries and deaths on the roads will remain, as changes to driver behaviour will not be addressed. The Road Safety Authority estimates that, as well as the human and social costs of road deaths and injuries, road collisions have an economic cost each year of the order of €1.3 billion

Options 2-4 will each have similar costs associated with them in that any change in BAC level will require the replacement and recertification of testing equipment (Evidential Breath Testing Instruments and roadside breathalysers) by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.

These costs will be identified by the Bureau following their research into the changes required to existing equipment. A procurement process will be required and while costs are not known, an indicative estimated cost (capital) at this stage is €800,000 for 2010/2011.

(iii) Benefits

The successful introduction of Mandatory Alcohol Testing in July 2006 and associated noticeable drop in road fatalities[1] shows the immediate and direct impact of drink driving interventions on driver behaviour. As any level of alcohol consumption impairs driving, it is considered that a reduction to 50mg will significantly reinforce the road safety message and underline drink driving as socially unacceptable, with the support of the public in general. A reduction to 50mg will not only bring us into line with best practice countries (i.e. those with a proven road safety record), it will also align us with our closest neighbours in Northern Ireland, who published a consultation document in April 2009 advocating a reduction from 80mg to 50mg in that jurisdiction. With drink driving being one of the key causal factors in road collisions, a change in driver behaviour in this area will result in lives saved. The safety imperative requires that even a modest reduction in injuries and fatalities, which can be expected from the reduction in the BAC level from 80 to 50 mgs, must be pursued.

(iv) Other Impacts

National competitiveness

The proposals will not have an impact on national competitiveness as the proposed provisions in the Scheme relate to domestic activity.

Socially excluded or vulnerable groups

The proposals are not addressed to any particular group, and as their objective is to change driver behaviour in relation to driving having taken alcohol, they do not have an impact on socially excluded or vulnerable groups per se.

The argument has been made as to the potential social impacts if social interactions dependent on driving are affected by a lower BAC level than currently applies, particularly in the case of rural areas. However, the extent to which social life revolves around drinking is a wider cultural issue but not one which changes the relationship between alcohol levels and driving impairment, or the fact that that even a modest reduction in road injuries and fatalities is in itself a huge societal gain.

Environmental impacts

There are no environmental impacts associated with the proposed provisions in the Scheme.

Economic market/consumers and competition

The proposals do not involve a significant policy change in the economic market and will not have any significant impact.

The rights of citizens

There will be no impact on the rights of the citizens.

Compliance burden

The impact of the measures will be on all driver behaviour, and will fall on all drivers.

5. Consultation

The Road Safety Strategy 2007 – 2012, including the specific actions to reduce the BAC limit for drivers, was the subject of a wide public and key stakeholder consultation by the Road Safety Authority, and the final document was approved by Government.

6. Enforcement and Compliance

The Garda Síochána will have responsibility for enforcing the reduced levels, supported through testing technology (Evidential Breath Testing equipment and breathalysers) supplied by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety.

Review

While there are no specific provisions for review of the proposed BAC provisions over time, road safety provisions in general are very high profile and regularly updated through new legislation, as best practice and capacity develop.

[1] Reduction in fatalities from 38 in July 06 to 17 in August 06, and reduction in fatalities from 396 in 2005 to 365 in 2006.