Road users warned over Easter drink drinking

The National Safety Council has warned road users of the dangers of alcohol over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Five people were killed in four fatal crashes and 140 injured in 109 collisions over the Easter period last year.

The NSC estimates that alcohol is a contributory factor in more than one third of all fatal road crashes in Ireland. The Council points to drunk drivers, as well as drunk pedestrians, as being the cause of crashes.

Today is World Health Day, and the issue of road safety has been chosen as the them by the World Health Organisation. It is estimated 1.2 million die on roads every year across the world. Yesterday, European transport ministers signed a road safety charter aimed at reducing road fatalities by 50 per cent in six years.

NSC Chief Executive, Mr Pat Costello, said many drivers believe "they are safe to drive if they think they are below the legal limit."

"This is a mistake. The risk of being involved in a crash increases in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect concentration and driving ability. Our advice is simple, never ever drink and drive."

He added: "International research indicates that the consumption of alcohol by pedestrians is associated with a considerably increased risk of fatal and non-fatal injury on roads. This is especially true for male pedestrians aged between 18 and 69."

A total of 100 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, compared to 80 for the same period last year. Since the beginning of the year 41 drivers, 20 passengers, 24 pedestrians, ten motorcyclists and four pedal cyclists have died in fatal collisions.