Dear Member of the Oireachtas,
You will be very much aware of the forthcoming legislation which proposes to reduce the drink driving limit which at present is 80mg/100ml and to introduce compulsory testing of
all drivers involved in road traffic collisions.
We are writing to you and all our political representatives to ask you to support this legislation in principle when it comes before the Oireachtas shortly.
Ireland has a chronic drink driving problem. The most recent evidence supporting this fact was presented by Dr. Declan Bedford at an International Road Safety Conference hosted by the Road Safety Authority on 13 October 2008. Dr Bedford stressed that:
" There is no blood alcohol level at which impairment does not occur.
" The relative risk of a fatal crash is 4-10 times higher for drivers with BACs between 50 - 79mg compared to drivers with BAC of zero.
The survey of public attitudes carried out by PARC Road Safety Group in March 2008, the biggest of its kind ever undertaken; found that 99% of the public would support a lower limit. Indeed, 57% voiced a preference for the "effective Zero" approach.
In the three years to 2005:
1,015 people were killed in 995 crashes according to Dr. Bedford's research;
" 1 in 3 crashes were alcohol related (32%)
" In 1 in 4 crashes the driver had consumed alcohol
" 1 in 4 pedestrian deaths related to their own alcohol intake
" In 1 in 3 crashes either no test for alcohol and drugs was taken or results were not available (Only the dead driver is certain of being tested during autopsy).
Dr. Bedford told the conference that the role of alcohol in fatal crashes here was greatly underestimated because drivers involved in a fatal crash but not killed were rarely tested. He added that when they went through all the files supplied to them by Gardai, they noticed that there were very few; only a minority in fact, who were actually tested for blood alcohol.
He totally vindicated PARC Road Safety Group's stance on calling for a reduction in the drink driving limit and the compulsory testing of all drivers at collision scenes attended by Gardai.
He found that we have no systematic collection of data here.
Until we collect the evidence we will never know the extent of the driving impairment problem on Irish roads. The only way to collect this evidence is by introducing compulsory testing of all drivers involved in a road traffic collision.
Our political representatives in the Dail and Seanad are in a very privileged position in that they have the power to legislate on this proposal which will potentially save many Irish lives. The great majority of the electorate is looking for these changes. It is now up to our TDs and Senators to ensure that the people get the legislation they want and deserve. We are asking you to make sure that the proposed new Road Traffic Bill gets top priority by ensuring it is brought before the houses of the Oireachtas without further delay and by voting in principle for it when it does.
Too many Irish people have learned by bitter experience of the inadequacies of Irish Law in protecting life on our roads. You can make a difference by voting 'Yes' to the reduction in the drink driving limit and 'Yes' to testing of all drivers involved in collisions attended by Gardai.
We in PARC Road Safety Group would welcome an indication from you that you agree in principle with the proposed changes in legislation in the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill.
Yours sincerely,
_____________
Susan Gray
Chairperson
PARC Road Safety Group-Donegal
You will be very much aware of the forthcoming legislation which proposes to reduce the drink driving limit which at present is 80mg/100ml and to introduce compulsory testing of
all drivers involved in road traffic collisions.
We are writing to you and all our political representatives to ask you to support this legislation in principle when it comes before the Oireachtas shortly.
Ireland has a chronic drink driving problem. The most recent evidence supporting this fact was presented by Dr. Declan Bedford at an International Road Safety Conference hosted by the Road Safety Authority on 13 October 2008. Dr Bedford stressed that:
" There is no blood alcohol level at which impairment does not occur.
" The relative risk of a fatal crash is 4-10 times higher for drivers with BACs between 50 - 79mg compared to drivers with BAC of zero.
The survey of public attitudes carried out by PARC Road Safety Group in March 2008, the biggest of its kind ever undertaken; found that 99% of the public would support a lower limit. Indeed, 57% voiced a preference for the "effective Zero" approach.
In the three years to 2005:
1,015 people were killed in 995 crashes according to Dr. Bedford's research;
" 1 in 3 crashes were alcohol related (32%)
" In 1 in 4 crashes the driver had consumed alcohol
" 1 in 4 pedestrian deaths related to their own alcohol intake
" In 1 in 3 crashes either no test for alcohol and drugs was taken or results were not available (Only the dead driver is certain of being tested during autopsy).
Dr. Bedford told the conference that the role of alcohol in fatal crashes here was greatly underestimated because drivers involved in a fatal crash but not killed were rarely tested. He added that when they went through all the files supplied to them by Gardai, they noticed that there were very few; only a minority in fact, who were actually tested for blood alcohol.
He totally vindicated PARC Road Safety Group's stance on calling for a reduction in the drink driving limit and the compulsory testing of all drivers at collision scenes attended by Gardai.
He found that we have no systematic collection of data here.
Until we collect the evidence we will never know the extent of the driving impairment problem on Irish roads. The only way to collect this evidence is by introducing compulsory testing of all drivers involved in a road traffic collision.
Our political representatives in the Dail and Seanad are in a very privileged position in that they have the power to legislate on this proposal which will potentially save many Irish lives. The great majority of the electorate is looking for these changes. It is now up to our TDs and Senators to ensure that the people get the legislation they want and deserve. We are asking you to make sure that the proposed new Road Traffic Bill gets top priority by ensuring it is brought before the houses of the Oireachtas without further delay and by voting in principle for it when it does.
Too many Irish people have learned by bitter experience of the inadequacies of Irish Law in protecting life on our roads. You can make a difference by voting 'Yes' to the reduction in the drink driving limit and 'Yes' to testing of all drivers involved in collisions attended by Gardai.
We in PARC Road Safety Group would welcome an indication from you that you agree in principle with the proposed changes in legislation in the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill.
Yours sincerely,
_____________
Susan Gray
Chairperson
PARC Road Safety Group-Donegal
