Almost one in three crash deaths in Ireland is alcohol-related. The latest available statistics, 2003-2005, show that on average, 120 people - drivers, passengers, pedestrians - were killed in alcohol-related crashes each year. Behind the statistics are brothers, sisters, sons and daughters… 

The fact is alcohol, even in small amounts, impairs driving ability and any amount of alcohol increases the risk of involvement in a fatal crash: where Blood Alcohol Concentration levels were available for drivers killed, almost six out of ten had alcohol in their blood. Significantly, one in every six drivers with alcohol in their blood, who were responsible for fatal crashes in 2003, was not above the legal limit.

While these statistics are alarming–the fact that they are likely to be underestimates is cause for additional concern. A recent report found that more than one third of drivers killed in fatal collisions from 2003-2005 in Ireland were not tested for alcoholⁱ so the figures that we do have are for the two out of three who were tested. 

The current drink drive limit in Ireland (Blood Alcohol Concentration level of 80 mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood) is among the highest in the EU. Only the UK and Malta have similar levels. The link between alcohol use and road deaths is recognised internationally as a major concern. The European Commission estimates that at least a quarter of road deaths can be attributed to alcohol. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates the role of alcohol in road deaths to be even greater.ⁱⁱ

Too many crashes and deaths on our roads are alcohol-related and therefore avoidable.

What needs to happen?

The question could be rephrased as – what do we know works to reduce alcohol related crash deaths and injuries? Evidence shows that properly implemented and resourced policies aimed at changing driver behaviour work. 

Ireland introduced randomised breath testing in July 2006. Its introduction and enforcement led to an immediate decrease in the number of road deaths, as well as a reduction in the number of hospital admissions resulting from road crashes. In the first six months after the introduction of random breath testing, provisional data shows that there was a 10% drop in admission to hospital following road crashes compared to the corresponding six months in the previous year.ⁱⁱⁱ In 2006, the Gardai made 17,868 arrests for driving while intoxicated, up 34% on arrests made in 2005.^iv

Alcohol Action Ireland has identified four key changes which, if implemented, would reduce alcohol-related deaths and injuries on our roads.

• Reduce the current drink drive limit of 80mg/100ml to 50mg/100ml. Other countries which have made the change have reduced the number of alcohol-related road deaths and injuries^v
    
  A survey carried out last year shows massive backing for the move with almost nine out of ten (87%) people said they would favour a reduction in the current BAC limit.^vi Roughly six out of ten (57%) said they would like to see the limit reduced to zero (‘effective zero’ approach)^vii
   
  The National Road Safety Strategy has recommended to the Minister for Transport that legislation be introduced to reduce the BAC to 50mg, and to 20mg for learner and professional drivers, by the mid 2009.^viii Alcohol Action Ireland is calling for the legislation needed to make these changes be put in place within the proposed timeframe
   
• The Government needs to legislate for routine alcohol testing of drivers involved in road crashes. Currently, there is no routine alcohol testing of drivers involved in road crashes. As a result, we do not have an accurate picture of the real extent of the role of alcohol in crashes and road deaths
   
  Alcohol Action Ireland calls for the introduction and enactment of legislation, which would allow for compulsory alcohol testing of all drivers involved in crashes. Only then can we have an accurate picture of the real role of alcohol in crashes and deaths on our roads
   
• Increased, sustained and visible enforcement of existing legislation by Gardai in order to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on roads. Greater enforcement will increase the risk of drivers being caught drink driving, shifting attitudes and behaviour, and saving lives
   
• Alcohol Action Ireland also calls for an investigation into the pricing of non-alcoholic drinks, which can often exceed the price of an equivalent volume of an alcoholic drink. This may be a matter for the Competition Authority or the National Consumers Association. (Both the Strategic Taskforce on Alcohol and the Government Alcohol Advisory Group called for an investigation of the same to be carried out)