Recent RSA data has shown the persistent prevalence of drink driving with alcohol remaining the most prevalent intoxicant detected in drivers, according to Drinkaware.
Drinkaware stated: "As the national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse, Drinkaware is highlighting three tips people use to ensure they are safe to drive after a night ‘out’ and is also re-promoting an explainer video on alcohol consumption and driving the next day.
"The RSA data shows the contradiction between people’s views and their actions where 92 per cent agree that ‘driving under the influence of alcohol seriously increases the risk of a collision’ and 27 per cent of people who consumed alcohol prior to driving in the last 12 months had two or more drinks before getting behind the wheel.
"Drinkaware also flags a positive behaviour shift when the legislation** with stronger penalties came into effect in 2018. Drinkaware research* which took place after the new legislation, found three positive changes that people were making in relation to not drink driving: (1 ) 36 per cent cut down on drinking when they planned to drive the next morning, (2 ) 22 per cent switched to non-alcoholic beer so they could drive home that night or the next morning, (3 ) 50 per cent used alternative transport rather than drive on a night out.
"The latest RSA data indicates this behaviour either hasn’t been maintained or needs to be more widespread. Drinkaware is therefore encouraging people to make these and other positive changes, and to be mindful of their drinking this summer.
"The Drinkaware research also showed that 64 per cent of Irish adults believe there should be an official breathalyser for personal use, indicating that people would like to have control over their own behaviour and make positive, safe decisions around the use of alcohol and driving.
"In addition, the explainer video that was produced by the Vintners Federation of Ireland and the charity, provides people with some helpful information (with the caveat that the processing of alcohol can differ from person to person ) and is also being promoted on Drinkaware’s social and digital channels to support the RSA, Garda Siochana and Department of Transport in their work to end drink driving.
"It can take at least one hour to process one standard drink. Examples of a standard drink are, half a pint of beer, 100ml glass of wine, or a standard measure of spirits. If a person were to finish drinking at midnight after three pints of beer, they will have consumed six standard drinks, this means they need six hours from midnight, when they stopped drinking, before their body will have processed the alcohol and they should not get behind the wheel of a car until 6am at the earliest.
"This summer Drinkaware is urging people to safely socialise through their Safe Summer Socialising webpage, which offers tips and advice on how to stay safe this summer, including how to keep our roads safe. It’s never acceptable to drink and drink, having alcohol in your system while you are on the roads makes our roads less safe for everyone. If you are planning to socialise and have a few drinks, leave the car at home, take public transport, arrange a lift or order a taxi."
