Head of The Learning Curve Institute‘s Drink Driver Education Programme and Lecturer in Addiction Studies, Padraic Hanley, blogs on the new three tier penalty point system announced by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in Ireland on August 23rd 2011 for people who are caught with a Blood Alcohol content between the old level of 80mg and the new level of 50mg.
Never Ever Drink and Drive
Nothing seems to provoke more “public” or should that be “media” reaction than the mention of tinkering with drink driving limits and the enforcement of our drink driving laws. The recent announcement by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of the introduction of a new ”proportionate and graduated” three-tier penalty point system, which will be introduced this Autumn, will be no different.
The new system will allow drivers who choose to drink and drive and are caught with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) between the new limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100millitres of blood and the old limit of 80mg to be given a lesser sanction of three penalty points and an on the spot fine of €200, avoiding a court appearance and licence suspension. Drivers who are caught with a BAC over 80mg will face a court appearance, a minimum driving ban of 6 months and a possible fine of up to €5000.
The usual TD’s and publicans will be rolled out to decry the demise of “rural Ireland” (as we never knew it) and even blaming the RSA for the increase in rural suicide rates. No doubt, the well known fable of the old man who has his three or four pints and drives home without causing any harm will be trotted out. Meanwhile, opposition TD’s will argue that the new system is too “lenient, confusing, sends out the wrong message and encourages drivers to “take a chance”.
Across the floor the Government and the RSA will highlight the increasing detection rates for drink driving and decreasing statistics for deaths on Irish roads, last years being the lowest on record at 211. As senior lecturer on the Learning Curve Institute’s Drink Driver Education Programme, and as a rural dweller, I am well aware of these unacceptable statistics and the real human costs and consequences that they represent for individuals, families and communities across the country.
Whether you live in an urban or rural area the facts about drink driving speak for themselves. Alcohol is a contributory factor in one in three fatal collisions and any amount of alcohol impairs driving and increases the risk of collision. All drink driving detections are a result of individual choice to drink and drive. Any death on Irish roads is one too many. The message is still loud and clearer than ever before – NEVER EVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
To read more about The Learning Curve Institute’s Drink Driver Education programme Click Here. To read about the other courses The LCI offers visit the website: www.thelearningcurve.ie For more information or to arrange an interview please contact The Learning Curve Institute on 098 25530 or info@thelearningcurve.ie
To read more about reaction to the new system in The Irish Independent Click Here.
Driving and driving is never worth it