Home > Alcohol is a factor in one third of deaths on Irish roads.

Alcohol Action Ireland. [Alcohol Action Ireland] Alcohol is a factor in one third of deaths on Irish roads. (18 Feb 2016)

External website: http://alcoholireland.ie/home_news/alcohol-is-a-fa...


Even in small amounts, alcohol impairs driving ability and any amount of alcohol increases the risk of involvement in a road traffic collision.

 

Comprehensive international research shows that beginning at very low levels of alcohol consumption, this risk becomes greater as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases and the functioning of vital processes for safe road use, such as vision and motor skills, becomes increasingly impaired.

 

According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), some common driving errors associated with alcohol consumption include:

  • Your peripheral vision is affected making it difficult to see signs and other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists
  • Increased reaction time to hazards
  • Driving too fast or too slow
  • Driving in the wrong lane
  • Running over the kerb
  • Weaving
  • Quick, jerky starts
  • Not signalling, failure to use headlights
  • Straddling lanes
  • Running stop signs and red lights
  • Improper overtaking

 

Alcohol consumption is a significant road safety issue in Ireland and is a factor in one third of all deaths on Irish roads, as well as many other collisions resulting in injuries.

 

Despite this, a survey conducted by the RSA in 2015 found that 1 in 10 drivers in Ireland admitted to consuming alcohol before driving in the past 12 months. Furthermore, of those who admitted to drink-driving, almost 2 out of 5 said they had consumed two or more drinks………

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