An "urgent" reduction in the permissible levels of blood alcohol for drivers is being sought by the Eastern Regional Health Authority.
The ERHA also wants the speed limit in urban areas reduced to 20 m.p.h.
In its annual report the authority's Department of Public Health comes out in favour of a reduction from 80 to 50mg/100ml in permissible blood alcohol in drivers.
"This is most urgent and will lead to a substantial reduction in alcohol-related road traffic accidents," it says.
The level sought is the same as that recommended a year ago by the EU Commission. Ireland is one of a minority of countries which allow blood alcohol levels above the recommended 50mg/100ml.
The Department of Environment and Local Government said there were no plans to introduce the lower limit.
The report also presses for the start of random breath testing, the immediate introduction of the penalty point system and a review of the national strategy on the prevention of road traffic accidents.