The Garda National Traffic Bureau has said today it welcomes the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000 and denied it claimed the bill was responsible for increased fatal car crashes.
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The Act is responsible, among other things, for lengthening pub opening hours. Some media reports today have said Supt Tom Murphy of the bureau blamed the Government’s legislation for the increase in late night fatal car crashes.
Today, however, he told ireland.comsuch statements were "outrageous" and said it was "not accurate" to say the legislation had caused the accidents.
"I did not say that the Government’s strategy contributed to deaths on our roads - it does not", he said.
Supt Murphy said the Act was an "innovative" and balanced piece of legislation which had the power to temporarily close licensed premises caught serving under-age drinkers.
He said he welcomed the extension of opening hours - until 11.30 a.m. on weekdays and 12.30 a.m. at weekends with a half hour ‘drinking-up’ time, and said "no legislation causes deaths on roads. It is a human behaviour problem".
Last year 63 per cent of people prosecuted for drink driving had consumed more than twice the legal limit.
Supt Murphy said this was "particularly worrying" as statistics show that people are six times more likely to be involved in an accident when they drink and drive.
He said drink driving was a "socially unacceptable and shameful act" and said the Garda National Traffic Bureau would now increase its initiative to target drink drivers - particularly at the weekend.
Those caught "will be prosecuted", he said.