Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, has joined the Road Safety Authority (RSA ) and An Garda Síochána in calling for motorists to be drink aware this Christmas.
The appeal was delivered at the launch to the Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign 2015/2016 last Thursday, the focus of which is on drink driving. Speaking at the launch of the annual road safety campaign, Minister Donohoe said: “While the number of people admitting to drink driving is shocking it is important to acknowledge that the vast majority of people in our society choose not to drink and drive.
“However, we still have much to do to completely eliminate the scourge of drink driving from our community. For anyone contemplating getting into the car after consuming alcohol, I want to remind you of Gillian Treacy’s heart-breaking victim impact statement. Gillian’s description of the crash which resulted in the death of her four-year-old son, Ciaran, must serve as a constant reminder of the very serious and devastating consequences of drink driving. It is a behaviour that must no longer be tolerated in our community.”
An Garda Síochána will be increasing the number of mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints around the county throughout the next six weeks. The powers of the Gardaí allow them to test any driver who has committed a road traffic offence. So for example, if you are detected driving in a bus lane, or using a mobile phone you can be tested for the presence of alcohol. Gardaí will also be targeting drink driving the morning after.
To raise awareness of the Christmas and New Year anti-drink driving campaign, the RSA and An Garda Síochána have produced a short information video which clearly shows what a driver can expect if caught drink driving. The video will be promoted online and though social media.
Drink Aware and the RSA will also run a refreshed version of its ‘Morning After’ campaign. It reminds anyone who has been out celebrating that they may be unfit to drive the following morning. The campaign includes a 30-second online video, radio ad, and washroom poster.
