Charity Director Fiona Ryan said: “While we welcome the overall reduction in youth crime figures as well as the 22 per cent drop in alcohol offences in 2009, the fact remains that the largest category of youth offences are still alcohol - related. According to the Garda Diversion Programme’s 2009 Annual Report, some 17.6 per cent of youth crimes were categorised as alcohol offences.

“However, we already know that alcohol is a factor in many other youth crimes, including for instance public order and criminal offences.

“We also know from the Irish Youth Justice Service that most young people gain access to alcohol with ‘relative ease’.  Added to that, the widespread availability of cheap alcohol means that children and young people can get drunk on pocket money prices, with cans of beer being sold for as little as 67 cent each and bottles of vodka retailing for less than €12. When we consider that the Office of Tobacco Control estimated that the average Irish 16 to 17-year-old was spending around €20 a week on alcohol, then €20 has the potential to buy a lot more alcohol that it used to.

Ms Ryan added: “We agree wholeheartedly with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Mr Barry Andrews T.D. - we cannot become complacent when it comes to reducing and preventing youth crime but the relative ease at which children can access alcohol and the widespread availability of cheap alcohol is not making the situation any easier.”

Ends

For further information or comment contact:

 Alcohol Action Ireland Communications Officer Cathy Gray (01) 878 0610/  087 995 0186

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When passed, the Road Traffic Bill 2009 will lower the drink drive limit from 80mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood to 50mgs, and to 20mgs for novice and professional drivers. The Bill also provides for compulsory alcohol testing at the scene of all road collisions where someone is injured.

Speaking in advance of the Dáil vote on the Road Traffic Bill, Alcohol Action Ireland Director Fiona Ryan said: “Once the drink drive limit is reduced, we will see a decrease in the number of deaths and injuries on our roads. We welcome the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey’s courageous stance on the issue and we now urge each TD to vote in favour of the legislation and to listen to what the public - their constituents - want.  There is popular support for this legislation - two thirds of motorists surveyed in two independent polls supported a reduction in the drink drive limit.” [i]

Ms Ryan added that research shows that any amount of alcohol impairs driving and increases the risk of road collisions.

She said: “It was worth remembering that some 100 people have died on our roads so far this year and it is estimated that 1 in 3 road crashes in Ireland are alcohol related.”

Ms Ryan urged that the legislation be passed as soon as possible to ensure greater safety for all road users.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:
The Road Traffic Bill 2009 has now completed its passage through Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann and is due back before the Dáil on Wednesday, July 7.

For further information or comment contact:
Alcohol Action Ireland Communications Officer Cathy Gray (01) 878 0610/ 087 995 0186

The Road Traffic Bill 2009 reduces the drink driving limit from a Blood Alcohol Concentration limit 80mg of alcohol per 100mls blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100mls, while the limit for learner and professional drivers has been cut from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 20mg. The Bill also provides for mandatory alcohol tests following a road crash where someone is injured.

Alcohol Action Ireland Director Fiona Ryan said: “We welcome the passing of the new legislation and congratulate the Minister on his courageous stance.

” Drink driving is a serious issue with the potential to cause serious injury and loss of life, and the penalties incurred as a result of drink driving should reflect this. Under new legislation drivers found with Blood Alcohol Concentration levels between the new lower alcohol limits and the existing one - between 50 mg and 80 mg - face a €200 fine and three penalty points rather than a driving ban.  We have to remember some 98 people have lost their lives on our roads so far in 2010, and it is estimated that one in three crash deaths are alcohol-related. The penalties involved in breaking the law should reflect the gravity of the situation. ”

Ms Ryan said that the fact that the Bill had passed through the Dail with support from all political parties showed there was a broad acceptance of the serious nature of drink driving and the need for appropriate measures such as lowering the drinking driving limit and introducing mandatory testing. 

“This support is echoing the public’s own attitude to drink driving - in fact the majority of the public have a zero tolerance approach to drinking and driving with a recent Road Safety Authority survey showing that 65% of drivers said there was no safe amount of alcohol you can have while driving. Unfortunately the same survey also showed that one in ten drivers had driven after having two or more drinks in the previous 12 months. This legislation will save lives.”

Ms Ryan urged that legislation be dealt with swiftly in the Seanad and for the Bill to become law as soon as possible to ensure greater safety for all of us using the roads.

ENDS

For further information or comment contact:

 Alcohol Action Ireland Communications Officer Cathy Gray (01) 878 0610/  087 995 0186