Ms Moyagh Murdock:

That is a really valid point. We recognise that contrary to the myth that this is an older person's issue, we are seeing a real emerging trend that the group showing the greatest propensity to drink and drive and who have admitted to taking alcohol and driven in the last 12 months is those aged under 24. As such, we have taken the immediate measure of introducing a new module in the driver theory test from October 2016 which relates completely to questions on alcohol, the law and driving. While that is not enough, it is a start. We are looking at what other educational material and interventions we need to make. We have a junior cycle course which has been piloted in a couple of schools and we need to ensure that alcohol is covered as part of that. One cannot pass a theory test now without answering at least two questions on alcohol and driving. We intend to enhance that and to introduce more complex psychological questions because, as Ms. Burns said, we must get into the minds of these young people to determine why they think it is okay. They may have a different perception about what drinking and driving is because they certainly have a different consumption levels to ourselves. What was deemed a normal intake of alcohol many years ago is considerably less than is consumed now. There is the whole issue of pre-drinks which perhaps leads people to go out thinking they have not been drinking. It is therefore important to get the message to this new generation of drivers at an early stage.

Deputy Fitzpatrick made a valid point about the morning after. Some 10% of fatal crashes occurred the morning after. Just because one thinks one has done the right thing the night before, one is still impaired. As such, one is not doing the right thing. One is still at a high risk of being involved in a serious crash the next day because one is still impaired. It is either because one is falling asleep or one's judgment is just as impaired as it was due to the consumption level the night before.