Kildare motorists warned of dangers of drink driving the morning after as RSA launches new campaign
By Kim O'Leary
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána have recently launched a new public information campaign to educate drivers about the dangers of driving the morning after drinking alcohol, following an increase in statistics from recent research.
The RSA analysed An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision Investigation reports for fatal collisions that occurred on Irish roads between 2008 and 2012. In relation to alcohol related crashes the morning after the report found that 11% of the 222 fatal collisions in which a driver had consumed alcohol, occurred between the hours of 7am and 11am.
Commenting on the RSA’s campaign, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D said: “Drivers need to be aware that they may not be safe to drive the morning after a night out, as they may still have alcohol in their system. As such, it is critical that drivers take measures to ensure their safety and the safety of others and this means leaving the car at home and making alternative arrangements for the morning after if they need to get somewhere.”
Deputy Ross said:” The morning after is a danger zone for alcohol related fatal crashes. It’s just not worth the chance if you are still over the legal limit. This campaign by the RSA is an important reminder to anyone who has been out the night before that they may be unfit to drive because they still have alcohol in their system, and may even be over the drink drive limit the following morning.”
Ms. Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive Officer, Road Safety Authority, said: “Whether you should drive the next morning depends on how much you’ve drunk – and if you’ve left enough time for your system to get rid of the alcohol. Going to bed in the early hours and not getting a good night’s sleep will only magnify the impairing effects of any alcohol in your system.”
She added: “Most of us would never plan to drink and drive but the reality is that some people don’t think about the repercussion of drink driving the following morning. The RSA’s new public information campaign aims to make people aware of the dangers of the dangers the following morning so they can continue to do the right thing and arrange alternative transport. Drink driving is drink driving no matter what time of the day or week it is.”
The new campaign includes two new radio advertisements, aimed at making people aware that they may not be fit to drive the morning after a night out, and will be broadcast on all national and regional radio stations over the next three weeks. The campaign is also being supported by outdoor advertising and social media.
To date, 112 people have been killed on Irish roads, which is a decline of 26 deaths compared to the number of fatalities for 2016.
For more information visit www.rsa.ie