Sir, – The latest findings of the Road Safety Authority that alcohol is a factor in two out of five road fatalities should be no surprise (Tim O'Brien, "Alcohol a factor in 40% per cent of road deaths, RSA study shows", June 1st). The figures will certainly be no surprise to the tens of thousands of family members, friends and other people associated with those who have lost their lives as a result of driving while under the influence of alcohol, nor to the very many people who must suffer the consequences of injuries caused by such irresponsible behaviour.
Neither will they be a surprise to coroners, gardaí, paramedics and hospital personnel throughout the country, who are frequently confronted with the horrific consequences of drinking and driving.
The figures will certainly not be a surprise to those of us who believe that the promotion of alcohol in this country, particularly in relation to how alcohol is marketed among young people, has a direct bearing on our alcohol-related road fatality figures.
Currently the Government is rightly attempting to highlight the dangers of alcohol misuse by means of appropriate messaging on product labels, and the correctness of this approach as just one response to the alcohol crisis in our country is underlined by the predictably negative reaction of the drinks industry to such a proposal.
We can only hope that the Government will stand firm in the face of very powerful vested interests who are intent on having the labelling initiative abandoned.
As the latest RSA findings make clear, the lives of our citizens now and in the future will depend on this and other measures to counter the influence of an industry that has had free rein in Ireland for long enough. – Yours, etc,
Dr MICHAEL LOFTUS,
Crossmolina,
Co Mayo.