Ahead of the June Bank Holiday Weekend, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports at the Department of Transport, Séan Canney, are urging all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol.

The appeal comes as RSA analysis* has found that over one third of driver fatalities with a toxicology result available during the years 2016–2020 had a positive toxicology for alcohol. The analysis shows a stark contrast between off-peak and peak hours. 70% of driver fatalities with a toxicology result available during off-peak hours (10pm–5.59am) had a positive toxicology for alcohol, compared to 21% during peak times...

Notes: RSA Study: Examining Peak and Off-Peak Fatalities – Alcohol: Coronial Data Analysis (2016–2020 Fatalities) 

The RSA has coronial data for 340 of the 411 driver (including motorcycle driver) fatalities that occurred on Irish roads between 2016 and 2020 (83% coverage). This study focused on the 316 driver fatalities with a toxicology result available for analysis from this dataset. A positive toxicology for alcohol was recorded where the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of the deceased was >20mg alcohol per 100ml blood (or equivalent in urine/vitreous humour).

Key statistics: 

• Over one in three (35%) of driver fatalities (2016-2020) with a toxicology result available had a positive toxicology for alcohol. 
• Seven in ten (70%) of driver fatalities (2016-2020) that occurred during off-peak hours had a positive toxicology for alcohol.