Madam, – The Minister for Transport stated that drink driving is one of the main causes of road deaths and that the research in this area is conclusive and irrefutable and he added that “reducing the BAC from its current limit of 80mg has a proved beneficial effect and will save lives and reduce serious injuries throughout Ireland” (Breaking News, October 30th).
The Minister believes this so strongly that the penalty for being caught below 80mg but above 50mg when you do not challenge the conviction in court will be €200 and a three-month disqualification, under the terms of the Road Traffic Bill.
In reality, this penalty clearly says to the citizens of Ireland, sure have that pint anyway and the worst that will happen is you will have to pay a few quid and get the bus to work for three months. To put it in context, €200 would buy you 40 pints in most Dublin pubs, though no doubt you would get better value for your money in rural Ireland.
This penalty is an insult to the memory of those who have died on our roads or continue to suffer the torment of their injuries after falling victim to drink drivers. Noel Dempsey is often rightly hailed as a conviction politician. If this Bill as published is Ireland’s version of conviction politics, we really should despair. – Yours, etc,