Lower limits 'will cut deaths on the roads'
Related Articles
THE World Health Organisation, European Commission and Road Safety Authority all say there is overwhelming evidence for lowering the drink-driving limit.
Switzerland, Austria and France have lowered their limits to 50mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood -- and recorded dramatic falls in the number of fatal road collisions involving alcohol.
Even the Irish experience, when the limit was lowered in 1978 and 1994, backs up this case. The 100mgs per 100ml limit came into law on July 5, 1978. That year, 628 people were killed. In 1979, the number dropped to 614.
The 80mgs per 100mls limit was enacted on December 2, 1994. That month, 28 people were killed on the roads and 729 injured. In December 1993 -- when the higher limit of 100mgs per 100mls was in place -- there were 41 deaths and 965 injuries.
Only in 1968, when the first limit of 125mgs per 100mls was introduced, did the measure fail to have an effect. In 1968, the number killed was 447. It rose to 462 in 1969, and 540 in 1970.
But studies show, without doubt, that alcohol affects judgment, vision, co-ordination and reaction time.
Alcohol is a contributory factor in one in three fatal road collisions, and, in one of four fatals, the driver had consumed alcohol.
Between 1990 and 2006, there were 7,078 deaths on the roads, of which 2,462 (35pc) were alcohol related.
At the current limit, drivers are six times more at risk of having a collision.
At half the current limit, drivers are twice as likely to be involved in a collision.
It takes one hour for the body to process one unit of alcohol -- that is, one half pint, a small glass of wine or a measure of spirits.
But the size of the person and how quickly their body processes the alcohol will affect their blood alcohol limit.
- Paul Melia
Irish Independent
