TD welcomes lower blood-alcohol limits
The new Bill gives effect to reducing the blood alcohol limit from 80 mg to 50 mg for experienced drivers, and 20 mg for inexperienced and professional drivers.
REDUCING the blood-alcohol levels from the current limit of 80 mg/ml is one of the most necessary components of a new Road Transport Bill, North Dublin Fianna Fáil Deputy Michael Kennedy told the Dáil. The Bill gives effect to reducing the blood alcohol limit from 80 mg to 50 mg for experienced drivers, and 20 mg for inexperienced and professional drivers.
'It is estimated that in Ireland 25% of road accidents, and 33% of fatal road accidents, are attributable to alcohol,' he said.
'I am sure we would all agree that these figures are particularly frightening. Put another way, each of those one-in-three fatal road accidents involves the loss of one or more people because of alcohol usage. Road fatalities and injuries also have significant financial implications and while this has far less consequence than loss of life, nonetheless it is significant.' Goodbody Economic Consultants had estimated that the cost of each road death was € 3 million, while serious injuries cost € 386,000 each. They also found that if a reduction in the blood alcohol limit to 50mg resulted in a 2% reduction in road deaths, it would lead to a saving of several lives and € 16 million per year. He said he had a particular interest in the legislation as he lived in north Dublin, which was one of the largest and fastest growing constituencies in the country.
'As with other areas, I am aware of the number of road accidents that occur daily, some of them fatal and others causing serious injury. Such road accidents cause grief and suffering to the families concerned.'
