Reduction in Alcohol-Related Collisions - 17/3/12

Research Reveals Reduction in Alcohol-Related Fatal Collisions.

Research conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and published on Thursday, the 15th March, has revealed a 12.8% reduction in the number of reported collisions where alcohol was a pre-crash factor*.  The research, from the RSA’s Review of Pre-Crash Behaviour in Fatal Road Collisions report, reveals that alcohol-related fatal collisions decreased from 28.33% in 2005 to 15.53% in 2007.  Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) for drivers was introduced in July 2006. 
 

As the St Patrick’s Day bank holiday weekend approaches, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are jointly appealing to road-users to never ever drink and drive. The appeal comes as fatality figures reveal that 26 people have died on Irish roads over the St Patrick’s Day bank holiday period over the past five years. Last year, six people died over the bank holiday period. 
 

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Leo Varadkar TD said: "Last year saw the lowest number of road deaths ever recorded, for the third year in a row. There has also been a significant reduction in road deaths so far this year. Motorists can be proud of this fantastic achievement, as it is primarily down to changed behaviour. However, despite a reduction in the number of alcohol-related fatal collisions, drinking and driving remains one of the biggest killers on our roads. If you’re planning a night out over the bank holiday weekend, please make alternative arrangements to get home.” 
 

Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: "Although we have already seen reductions in road deaths this year, there are still 32 families who have lost a loved one in what are preventable tragedies. While the change in the behaviour of the road-using public must be commended, we cannot become complacent about road safety and expect that someone else will take responsibility for our own safety on the roads. If you’re heading out this weekend for a couple of drinks, leave the car at home and travel with a designated driver or use public transport. Never take a lift from a driver whom you know has been drinking or taken drugs. Make responsible choices about how you use the roads and never ever drink and drive.” 
 

"I make a passionate plea to pedestrians to take personal responsibility for how they use the road and to plan in advance to ensure they get home safely after a night out” added Mr. Brett. 
 

An Garda Síochána is reminding road-users that it will be out in force over the St Patrick’s Day bank holiday period to tackle high risk behaviours, with a particular focus on drink driving. 
 

Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahony, An Garda Síochána said: "Over recent years, we have seen a marked change in the behaviour of the majority of road-users and this has had a positive impact on the number of road collisions. But there are still some road-users who continue to take risks and behave dangerously on the roads.”

 
"Over the St. Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday period, we will be active throughout the country to monitor dangerous driving, with a particular focus on drink driving. Since October 2011, new reduced drink drive limits have been in force, with a limit of 50mg/100ml for drivers and 20mg/100ml for novice and professional drivers. If you are caught over the limit, you will be prosecuted, so act responsibly this weekend and never ever drink and drive.” 
 

32 people have died on Irish roads to date this year, a reduction of 15 on the same period last year when 47 people were killed. Of the fatalities to date this year, 1 in 5 were pedestrians. 3 out of 5 fatalities were drivers of which just under one half were aged between 21 and 25 (42%). 
 

For further information on road safety, please visit www.rsa.ie and www.garda.ie

*The RSA Report, Review of Pre-Crash Behaviour in Fatal Road Collisions, has updated our understanding of alcohol as a pre crash factor and has shown that the level of alcohol as a factor in road collisions was previously underestimated.

Table 1: St Patrick’s Day Stats (16th to the 18th March inclusive), past 5 years (2007-2011)