Reduced blood alcohol proposal shelved

PROPOSALS TO introduce a reduced blood alcohol limit of 20mg for learner and professional drivers have been shelved due to insufficient evidence to show that it would make a significant impact in the prevention of fatal and serious crashes.

The news comes as the Department of Transport confirmed it has no plans to introduce penalty points for drink driving offences, contrary to claims by politicians last week that there should be a doubling of points for drink driving on bank holiday weekends.

Drink driving is not a penalty point offence.

An expert group set up by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to recommend a new blood alcohol limit for the State has, however, recommended a new general limit of 50 mg per 100 millilitres of blood or urine, down from the current level of 80mg.

This new limit was accepted by the RSA board at its meeting last week and will now be formally recommended to the Minster for Transport Noel Dempsey, who has said he will support the level put forward.

The expert group has been examining the alcohol limit since the latest Road Safety Strategy (2007 to 2012) was published last October.

The strategy calls for the blood alcohol limit to be reduced by mid-2009 - coincidentally, the time of local elections - but does not specify a level.

Ireland is one of a small number of European countries with an 80mg level, as most have already moved to a 50mg/ml level. Northern Ireland and Britain have an 80mg level.

A spokesman for the RSA refused to comment on the level of the new limit, although he confirmed the issue was discussed at the last board meeting and that a recommendation would be sent to the Minister for Transport later this month.

The lower drink driving limit is expected to face strong opposition as several Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators have already come out against any plan to reduce it, saying the move would cripple rural pubs and increase rural isolation.

The Department of Transport has also confirmed that there are no plans to introduce penalty points for drink driving, despite a statement from Government chief whip Tom Kitt last week who called for the "doubling of penalty points for speeding and drink-driving offences" during bank holiday weekends.

Drink driving is not a penalty point offence and is currently dealt with by a court appearance, as a proposal to introduce an administrative disqualification has not yet been introduced.

In 2006, the number of drivers identified as being over the alcohol limit increased by 34 per cent to 17,868, largely due to the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing in July of that year. However, the conviction rate for drink driving is not transparent because a significant number of cases are not resolved in the year they are initiated.

According to the Road Safety Strategy, just 39 per cent of those prosecuted for drink driving were convicted, although gardaí say the true level of conviction is higher.