WE SHOULD not get carried away and believe legislation will solve our drink-driving problems. It is, however, part of a solution. Governments are good at introducing new rules and regulations. But providing the political will, the manpower and the resources to enforce those laws can be a different matter. That is why Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and his Cabinet colleagues should be encouraged to put road safety and the needs of society before the demands of vested interests who are determined in advancing their own agenda.
Passing a new Bill will be the easy part. Ensuring a visible Garda presence on the roads in order to convince motorists they are likely to be detected if they break the law will be much harder. As things stand, the Traffic Corps is underfunded and understaffed. That reality is reflected in the fact that four out of 10 motorists do not worry about being caught. Without a fear of detection and prosecution, experience demonstrates that changing the law will amount to little more than a cosmetic exercise.
Objections by Fianna Fáil and other backbenchers to a reduction in the blood alcohol limit for drink-driving offences were predictable. A similar approach was taken to the introduction of mandatory breath testing and tobacco controls. The drinks industry and the publicans’ lobby have actively campaigned to protect their interests and their incomes. Last year, their efforts led to changes in alcohol limits being delayed until after the local elections. This time out, Mr Dempsey has no option but to give effect to commitments already made to the Road Safety Authority.
Reducing the blood alcohol limit from 80 to 50mg for drink driving offences will bring our laws closer to the admonition “never, ever, drink and drive”. It is an attitude broadly accepted by conscientious motorists. The Road Safety Authority found that three out of four drivers support a lower alcohol limit. Such change will bring our law into line with those of our EU partners, with the exception of Britain. It will not spell the end of life, as we know it, in rural Ireland. Taxis will still be available. Designated drivers will be nominated. And “lifts home” can be arranged for ageing farmers.
This legislation is about the welfare of the community and ending needless deaths. We have made considerable progress in recent years. The incidence of drunken driving has fallen. More people wear seat belts. Penalty points, greater use of breathalysers and more Garda checkpoints have helped. But a system of speed cameras has yet to be rolled out. And drug checks are required. Country roads are far more dangerous than motorways or dual carriageways.
Those TDs who moan about an interfering State and the protection of rural Ireland should look to Switzerland where similar change – and strict enforcement – led to a 44 per cent drop in the number of road deaths. Too many communities have been ripped apart by fatal crashes. The message has to be clear and simple: If you drink, don’t drive.