It’s time to talk about Drink and Drug driving.
In 2023, 10% of motorists said they consumed alcohol before driving in the past 12 months and 33% of these drivers had consumed two or more alcoholic drinks.
Imagine a scenario like this.
You’re on a night out with friends. You have a few drinks, you get home safely but you’re up early the next morning to bring the kids to football training.
You may still be over the legal alcohol limit the morning after.
It’s not just at a checkpoint you can be tested.
Today there is a higher chance than ever of getting caught drink or drug driving as Gardaí can now test for alcohol at the scene of a serious collision.
If you are caught for any other offence, such as speeding, you can also be tested for alcohol or drugs.
Alcohol Affects Your Ability To Drive In Many Ways
G8F80J Actor Declan Reynolds (left) with Garda Keith Daly at the launch of the annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety campaign by the RSA and An Garda Siochana, at Store Street Garda station, Dublin, with the focus on drink driving.Slowing your reaction times – reducing your ability to react to hazards
Impairing your ability to multi-task – a critical skill for safe driving
Causing poor judgement – such as your ability to judge the speeds of other vehicle
Reducing your attention span – meaning you are less likely to notice other road users
Causing blurred vision and reduced hearing – making it more difficult to monitor and stay on the road
Creating over-confidence – meaning you are more likely to take dangerous risks
Penalties
Penalties for drink-driving range from disqualification for three months to six years depending on the vehicle driven, the level of alcohol detected and whether it is a first or subsequent offence.
To refuse to give a sample will be an automatic disqualification of four years for a first offence and six years for a second and subsequent.
Drug Driving
G7GYG2 Actor Jonathan Walsh is given a pupil dilation test by a Garda at the launch of new measures to combat drug and drink-driving at University College Dublin.Drugs can stay in your system longer than you think.
The new drug Swipe testing device means Gardaí can test more people and can test for the presence of more drugs at the roadside.
You don’t have to show impairment to be tested, if you miss a red light or get caught speeding you can be tested.
Different drugs affect your ability to drive in different ways
Penalties
If you are convicted of drug driving, you will get:
A minimum 1-year driving disqualification if you are found to be above the legal threshold for cocaine, cannabis or heroin;
A minimum of 4 years driving disqualification if you are found to have drugs in your body and are impaired to such an extent that you do not have proper control of a vehicle
Up to €5,000 fine
Up to 6 months in prison
A criminal record
What Can I Do?
Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs.
Plan ahead. Book a taxi, arrange a lift with a friend or use public transport. Never accept a lift from someone who has been drinking or taking drugs.
Keep friends and family safe, if you see a friend or family member about to drink or drug-drive, speak up and stop them.
Avoid walking home as alcohol and drugs impairs your ability.
