1 in 4 drivers in NI drive 'after one drink'

Date: 26/10/2012

More than a quarter of drivers in Northern Ireland still get behind the wheel after having had an alcoholic beverage, the latest road safety survey from the government has found.

Nearly 72 per cent of those who responded to the annual Road Safety Monitor said that they were opposed to drink driving.

Alex Attwood, Northern Irish Road Minister, said that having even one drink before driving can be too much and increase the chances of being involved in an accident.

He said: "These figures concern me. At present more than a quarter of drivers are taking a risk by driving after having one drink."

Mr Attwood went on to say that it is unrealistic to think that alcohol even in small amounts will not impair driving to a certain degree.

Over the past few years there has been a lot done by a number of organisations in order to change the public's attitude of drinking and driving.

Ad campaigns and even schemes in pubs where the designated driver gets a free soft drink have been undertaken to emphasise that it is not acceptable to drive under the influence of alcohol.

Mr Attwood said that a further change in driver behaviour is needed so that this effort is capitalised upon.

A consultation has just come to an end on a draft Bill to lower drink drive limits in Northern Ireland and introduce roadside checkpoints.

At such points all drivers would be asked to take a breath test in order to determine the level of alcohol in their blood, not just the ones who have been seen to be driving erratically.

If the Bill becomes law then there will be a zero tolerance policy limit of 20miligrams/100mililitres of alcohol for novices until they have been driving for two years or more.

Driving under the influence of alcohol can make the motorist less aware of things happening on the road and slow their response times.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

Transport Research News and Vehicle Safety News