Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)

The literature on the effects of alcohol on driving is extensive and consistent. Alcohol in almost any amount impairs driving or driving related skills. Statistics show it plays a contributory role in one in three fatal road accidents and all available evidence from research indicates that reducing the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration, BAC, to 0.05 will reduce the incidence of road collisions and consequently save lives and prevent serious injuries. The lower limit is also consistent with best practice in many European countries. When the relevant sections of the 2010 Road Traffic Act are commenced this month the limits will change the permissible blood alcohol concentration limits by providing for a reduction from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 20 milligrams for learner, novice and professional drivers and a reduction from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams for all other drivers. The equivalent levels in urine and breath testing will also apply.

Drinking and driving is never acceptable. It is particularly abhorrent that some individuals still see fit to get behind the wheel of a car immediately after consuming alcohol. A constituent in Raheny brought to my attention a recent encounter she had with a person who was clearly drunk and unfit to drive. While trying to get into her car the drunk person unknowingly slammed her car door against the car of my constituent twice before driving off in a highly erratic manner. Needless to say the Garda was immediately called by my constituent and it responded immediately.

People who are considering whether to drive on the morning after the night before must be careful to the point of not driving. If a person has a hangover, the chances are that he or she is not fit to drive and should either arrange a lift or use public transport. If these options are not available, I recommend that such persons stay at home as it is better to postpone an appointment or be late for work than to get behind the wheel of a car and risk one's own life and the lives of others. While this course of action may be inconvenient, it is better to be safe than sorry. The best solution for all drivers is that they refrain from drinking alcohol if they will need to drive either soon after taking alcohol, several hours later or on the morning thereafter.

The practice of consuming large amounts of alcohol is ingrained in Irish society and is a facet of our culture that needs to be changed. It is not the done thing in other cultures to "go out on the tear" or "get locked" or whatever other term is applied to heavy drinking. The practice elsewhere is to have no more than a couple of glasses of beer or wine. In the past, it was practically a requirement in our culture to drink alcohol and it was considered that there was something amiss with those who chose not to do so. It is perfectly acceptable nowadays on social occasions to remain alcohol free or to tell friends that because one must drive a vehicle in the near future. It is not acceptable to pressure someone into having just one or to join in with the gang. If a person chooses not to drink, that should be the end of the matter.

A dramatic change in attitudes in the past decade is very much to be welcomed. A recent AA survey found that 87% of motorists consider drink driving to be shameful. We still have some distance to travel to reach the remaining 13%. I welcome the legislation and hope it achieves that objective.

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