Fresh drink driving warning issued ahead of June Bank Holiday weekend

New attitudinal research released today by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has found that a quarter of drivers surveyed agreed that there were times when they may have been over the drink driving limit when driving the morning after a night out.

The Driver Attitudes & Behaviour Survey carried out in December 2020, also found that overall, nine per cent of motorists admit to consuming alcohol before driving in the past 12 months, with the figure higher amongst men (12%) than women (5%).

It says 40 per cent of those who admitted to drink driving had two or more drinks getting behind the wheel.

Figures from An Garda Síochána show that a total of 14 people have been killed and 64 people seriously injured over June Bank Holiday weekends between 2016-2020.

To date in 2021 (June 2), a total of 47 people have died on Irish roads, this is 13 fewer than the same period in 2020.

The figures are being published ahead of the June Bank Holiday Weekend as the RSA, An Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety appeal to all road users not to drink and drive.

Sam Waide, CEO of the RSA, says: “While our research shows that most drivers believe that drinking and driving is not normal social behaviour, I am concerned at the numbers who are getting behind the wheel the morning after with drink on board.

“Drink driving is drink driving no matter what time of the day or week it happens. The morning after is a real danger zone for drink driving. A previous analysis of Garda Síochána Investigation Files for fatal collisions, by the RSA, shows that 11 per cent of fatal collisions, in which a driver had consumed alcohol, occurred between 7am and 11am.

“There is no hard and fast rule about when it is safe to drive the morning after if you have been drinking the previous night. But motorists should allow at least one hour per standard drink for the alcohol to clear their system.”

He adds: “A standard drink is a half-pint, a small glass of wine or a standard measure of spirits. Also, if drinking at home, you may be unknowingly consuming larger measures and therefore increasing the risk that you are unsafe to drive the following morning. The key is never to take chances, don’t risk it, you could end up losing your licence or worse.”