The Road Safety Authority is urging drivers nationwide to stay safe and sober this festive season as new data from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) show concerningly high levels of alcohol and other drugs in driver toxicology testing. New survey research from the RSA has also identified concerning behaviours and attitudes among motorists in relation to driving under the influence. With December bringing holiday celebrations into full swing, the RSA, An Garda Síochána and the MBRS are urging motorists to stay drug and alcohol free to prevent collisions and protect all road users this Christmas.
During the month of December 2023, 14 people lost their lives on Irish roads and 124 were seriously injured. So far this year, there have been 165 people killed on Irish roads, 5 fewer than the same period last year. The RSA, An Garda Síochána, and MBRS are calling on everyone to act responsibly to prevent further tragedies on Irish roads. Each life lost is a family left grieving and forever shattered.
Medical Bureau for Road Safety intoxicant testing research
Results of recent MBRS toxicology testing demonstrated levels several times in excess of the legal limits for driving. These include that:
- The median blood alcohol concentrate to date in 2024 was 152mg alcohol per 100ml blood (legal limit is 50mg/100ml).
- The maximum blood alcohol concentration found was 427mg alcohol per 100ml blood (8.5 times the legal limit).
- The mean blood level of cannabis in 2023 was 6.3ng/ml (6 times the legal limit).
- The mean level of cocaine in 2023 was 60.6ng/ml (6 times the legal limit).
In a further development, the MBRS also recently approved two Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (AIIDs)which prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol.
Professor Denis Cusack, Director of the MBRS said: “Intoxicated driving with alcohol and other drugs continues to be a major crash risk and problem on Irish roads. It is deeply concerning to see the high number of test results being significantly over the legal limits. Intoxicated driving significantly inhibits a driver’s ability to use the roads safely, putting themselves and all other road users at serious risk. The development of alcohol interlock devices to stop drunk driving has great potential to reduce this danger.”
Road Safety Authority
RSA behaviour and attitudes research, conducted in November 2024, found that 11% of motorists admitted to driving after consuming any alcoholic drink in the past 12 months. Meanwhile, 25% of motorists said: “it is acceptable to drive short distances in your local area after consuming one alcoholic drink”.
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said: “We have witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences and heard the heartbreaking stories of families and communities devastated by road collisions this year. The loss and suffering is immeasurable. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs not only endangers your life but also puts others at risk, leading to empty seats at tables and devastation for families this Christmas. Let’s all commit to reducing lives lost on Irish roads, and make this Christmas a time of joy, not tragedy.”
In recent months, the RSA has piloted the introduction of Flinebox breathalysers in a number of hospitality locations. The scheme is an educational and preventative measure, allowing members of the public to make an informed decision on whether they should and should not drive. Since the pilot was introduced, over 15,774 tests have been carried out. Data to date has shown that 44% of testers who had an alcohol level above 0.22mg/L thought they would be below the legal limit.
As part of its advertising campaigns across TV, on demand, radio and social, over the Christmas and New Year’s period, the RSA will also be promoting Time to Talk TV and Ciaran TV.
