Alcohol trading hours and road safety

Sir, – The steep rise in deaths on Irish roads is appalling and clearly needs a strong response. But why is the Government proposing to increase alcohol trading hours through Minister for Justice Helen McEntee’s Sale of Alcohol Bill?

Some 37 per cent of driver fatalities in Ireland have a positive toxicology for alcohol, and 71 per cent of these fatalities occurred on rural roads. Findings from a 2020 systematic review concluded that there was an association between increased trading hours and drink driving. Recent in depth analysis in Norway has demonstrated up to 30 per cent increase in collisions in rural areas in Norway for a one-hour extension.

Before these proposals go any further a health-impact assessment should be carried to look at road safety and other areas of concern. Surely our policymakers need facts and not just views from vested interests. The year 2023 has sadly seen carnage on our roads. This must be the year that the Government ensures that its own actions do not add to this terrible burden on families across the State. – Yours, etc,

Dr SHEILA GILHEANY,