Almost 2 in every 5 drivers (37 per cent) have admitted to driving after drinking alcohol in the past 12 months according to the results of a survey announced today.
The survey of 500 drivers' attitudes towards drink driving was carried out by Lansdowne Market Research on behalf of the National Safety Council (NSC).
Minister of Transport Martin Cullen
Speaking at the launch of the NSC's summer Arrive Aliveroad safety campaign today the NSC Chairman, Eddie Shaw, said, "In this three month period [June July August] over the last five years we estimate 4,000 people have been killed or seriously injured in vehicle collisions - a town full every summer."
"The majority of drivers do not drink and drive however there is still a sizeable number who continue to drink and drive and these drivers will be the focus of concentrated Garda enforcement over the summer months in order to rid us of the scourge of drink drivers," he added.
A total of 517 people were killed over the traditional summer holiday period of June, July and August in the five year period 2000 to 2004. Statistically July was the worst month, with an average of 38 deaths per annum.
To date this year a total of 162 people have died on Irish roads compared to 146 for the same period last year.
Minister of Transport Martin Cullen said random breath testing would only be introduced once the legal issues surrounding the legislation have been resolved.
"I do not intend to pursue any policy initiative in this area until I am satisfied that a more generally applied system of roadside testing provides clear potential for improving road safety on a sustained basis for the future," he said at today's campaign launch.
However, he said the Medical Bureau of Road Safety has sent 60 evidential breath-testing (EBT) kits to selected garda stations around the country. This system allows officers to legally obtain a breath sample from drivers at the scene of an accident.
The minister added: "Drink driving is not acceptable. Addressing the problem requires a balanced programme involving enforcement, public information campaigns and the application of a range of robust deterrents, including driving disqualifications."
Statistics show that 89 per cent of blood and urine specimens and 81 per cent of breath specimens analysed in 2003 were above the alcohol limit for driving.
In addition, 57 per cent of blood and urine results and 30 per cent of breath results more than twice exceeded the limit.
"I sincerely hope that the efforts of road safety agencies will instil in all drivers the realisation that drink driving devastates lives, devastates families and devastates communities," added Mr Cullen.