Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think that is probably right. The Deputy cited figures based on a group of 35 people, of whom 19 were in the 21 to 50 mg bracket and 16 were in the 51 to 80 mg bracket. I find that interesting. I am not sure what to read into it. If it tells me anything, it is that anyone over 21 mg is impaired. A statement from the World Health Organization, WHO, which is another authority which I respect - it is not from the Garda - notes the risk of impairment starts at very low levels of alcohol consumption and rises exponentially with alcohol intake. This is what is so worrying and makes me think the levels should be brought down. We are not bringing them down in this Bill. Drivers with a blood alcohol content, BAC of between 20 and 50 mg, which is where the 19 people come, have at least a three times greater risk of dying in a vehicle crash. This risk increases to at least six times greater with a BAC between 50 and 80 mg and rises exponentially.