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21/10/2009
FF Infighting Over Legal Limit Decrease
The Transport Minister's latest proposals to lower the legal alcohol limit for drivers has been met with severe criticism from within his own party.
Noel Dempsey and his Fianna Fáil party colleagues clashed last night over the plans to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from 100mg to 80mg – in line with the majority of European nations.
However, the vast majority of speakers at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last night opposed the plans.
A number of organisations have come out in support of the plan, with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), saying Ireland and Britain are the only countries in Europe that still have an 80mg limit.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) also called for the limit to be lowered.
Today, the IMO called on the Minister Dempsey to introduce the legislation to reduce the legal limit without further delay.
The Organisation said the evidence from other countries was "very clear", citing statistics such as drivers at the current legal limit of 80mg are 5-10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
The organisation said there was swathes of evidence to suggest the risk of a fatal incident rises rapidly when the blood alcohol level reaches 50 mg.
IMO Former President, Dr. Declan Bedford said: "Drink driving is still a serious issue in Ireland. Research in Ireland has shown that where a blood alcohol concentration was available, one in two fatally injured drivers had a blood alcohol concentration of 50mg or higher."
He said: "Alcohol impairs driving ability and increases the risk of being involved in fatal crashes. This is a scientific fact. Reducing the legal limit in Ireland will save lives and reduce injury and disability. A new lower legal limit of 50mg/100ml needs to be introduced as soon as possible. Every life counts."
A number of speakers during last night's meeting said the reduction would have a devastating effect on rural Ireland if more than one drink put drivers over the legal limit.
Mr Dempsey is expected to say that the new legislation has been approved by the Cabinet and will be published next week.
(DW/BMcC)
Noel Dempsey and his Fianna Fáil party colleagues clashed last night over the plans to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from 100mg to 80mg – in line with the majority of European nations.
However, the vast majority of speakers at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last night opposed the plans.
A number of organisations have come out in support of the plan, with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), saying Ireland and Britain are the only countries in Europe that still have an 80mg limit.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) also called for the limit to be lowered.
Today, the IMO called on the Minister Dempsey to introduce the legislation to reduce the legal limit without further delay.
The Organisation said the evidence from other countries was "very clear", citing statistics such as drivers at the current legal limit of 80mg are 5-10 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
The organisation said there was swathes of evidence to suggest the risk of a fatal incident rises rapidly when the blood alcohol level reaches 50 mg.
IMO Former President, Dr. Declan Bedford said: "Drink driving is still a serious issue in Ireland. Research in Ireland has shown that where a blood alcohol concentration was available, one in two fatally injured drivers had a blood alcohol concentration of 50mg or higher."
He said: "Alcohol impairs driving ability and increases the risk of being involved in fatal crashes. This is a scientific fact. Reducing the legal limit in Ireland will save lives and reduce injury and disability. A new lower legal limit of 50mg/100ml needs to be introduced as soon as possible. Every life counts."
A number of speakers during last night's meeting said the reduction would have a devastating effect on rural Ireland if more than one drink put drivers over the legal limit.
Mr Dempsey is expected to say that the new legislation has been approved by the Cabinet and will be published next week.
(DW/BMcC)
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