ROAD SAFETY group Public Against Road Carnage (Parc) last night welcomed the expected passing of legislation to lower drink-driving limits.
The Road Traffic Bill 2009, scheduled to be passed late last night in the Dáil, reduces the allowable blood alcohol level for drivers from 80mg to 50mg and for novice and professional drivers will only be allowed to have 20mg of alcohol in their bloodstream when they get behind the wheel.
Drivers involved in a crash that results in someone being injured will face a mandatory breath test.
Parc welcomed the anticipated passing of the legislation.
Spokeswoman Susan Gray said it was a credit to the Government and the Opposition parties who had supported it. “Some 241 lives were lost on Irish roads last year, and it’s estimated that alcohol was a contributory factor in up to one third of these road deaths, so I am delighted to see such cross-party support for the introduction of this life-saving legislation,” she said.
The previous legislation had resulted in only 8 per cent of surviving drivers involved in fatal crashes between 2003 and 2005 being tested for alcohol, she said, while 65 per cent of dead drivers were tested at autopsy.
Lowering the limit and mandatory testing at crash scenes would protect families, friends and communities from the consequences of drink driving, Ms Gray said.
“It will also bring us into line with other countries in the EU who have introduced these measures and reduced road deaths significantly as a result,” she added.
The Irish Insurance Federation also welcomed the legislation and called for it to come into force as soon as possible.
The Coach Tourism and Transport Council, an umbrella group for private coach and bus companies, said it could only lead to safer driving conditions on the roads and a reduced number of deaths.
Chief executive Gerry Mullins said the measures would also encourage more people to use their local coach, bus and taxi companies instead of taking their cars.
