[Oireachtas] Dail Eireann debate. Written answers 738 - Road traffic legislation [4135/13]. (29 Jan 2013)
External website: http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20a...
738. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce legislation to allow Gardaí to issue permits to persons living in rural isolated areas to allow them to drive home from their nearest pub after having two or three drinks on little used roads driving at very low speeds to be issued at the discretion of the local Garda; this would greatly benefit people living alone looking at four walls and restore some bit of social activity in local pubs and may also help prevent depression and suicide; and if he will consider introducing the proposed legislation. [4135/13]
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar): Given the unprecedented progress in road safety in recent years, I find it difficult to respond to a proposal that would undermine so much of that achievement. For the seventh year in a row, the number of people killed on Irish roads has dropped. In 2012, the loss of life was the lowest ever recorded. The on-going effort to reduce the tragedy of road deaths is working but such change has come about by the contributions of every single road user. It has been a long journey but most of our citizens now recognise that it is irresponsible to drink drive.
Unrevised
B Substances > Alcohol
MA-ML Social science, culture and community > Risk by type of society and culture > Rural society
MM-MO Crime and law > Substance transportation laws (driving)
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
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