An Garda Síochána has again warned the public about drink-driving at a time of rising road deaths in Ireland, as experts warn that “the effects of alcohol on driving can last long after a night out”.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has expressed deep concern about the number of road deaths this year so far.
Gardaí says drink-driving is a major factor in fatal and seriously injured collisions on our roads.
One standard drink is enough to put someone at risk of going over the limit, including a glass (half pint) of beer, a small glass of wine (100ml) or a pub size spirits (35.5ml).
According to the HSE, it takes most people one to two hours to process one standard drink, and after you stop drinking, the alcohol level in your system can continue to rise for up to three hours.
There are many factors that influence this time, including age, gender, weight, alcohol percentage, the rate of your metabolism and the number of drinks consumed.
If someone had had their last drink at midnight and had three pints of lager or stout, which equates to six standard drinks, they could expect to be under the legal limit to drive by 6 a.m. the next morning.
If another person had drunk four glasses of wine and had finished drinking by 11 p.m., this equates to eight standard drinks.
The person could be below the legal limit of 50 mg by 7 a.m. the next morning.
There’s nothing you can do to get alcohol out of your body faster, just time.
Garda breathalyzer. Stock image
Common myths are that drinking coffee, taking a shower, eating a full breakfast or going for a run will make you sober, but that’s not true.
Nearly half of all arrests for driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUI) occur between midnight and 6 a.m. One in ten arrests for drink-driving occur between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a peak on Sunday.
Checkpoints will continue to be in place across the country to deter people from driving under the influence.
A Garda spokesperson told the Irish independent: “An Garda Síochána calls on the public never to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Drunk driving, along with inappropriate and speeding, not wearing a seat belt and distracted driving with mobile phones remain the top four offences.”
The legal limit is a blood alcohol level of 50 mg for experienced drivers.
The limit is lower for novice and professional drivers, at a blood alcohol level of 20 mg per 100 ml of blood.
A driver who exceeds the limit – be it a learner, a novice or a professional – will be automatically disqualified for three months and will be fined €200.
A Garda spokesperson added: “Every road death is a tragedy.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs not only puts you at risk of losing your driver’s license, but you also risk causing a collision, injuries and deaths that devastate the lives of survivors, families and friends.
“Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
Road safety experts from AA Ireland warn motorists of the dangers of drink-driving.
AA Ireland spokeswoman Anna Cullen said: “As the weather hopefully improves in the coming weeks, more and more people will be able to get out and about.
“The effects of alcohol on driving can persist for a long time after a night out.
“So if you’ve been drinking, it’s vital that you don’t get behind the wheel of a car until it’s safe to do so.”
The Gardaí conducts roadside breath tests for alcohol content and it is an offense to refuse to be tested.
Drinkaware CEO Sheena Horgan said it’s critical for people to understand how long it takes their bodies to process alcohol, prevent accidents on our roads, and protect themselves and others.
Sheena added: “People want to do the right thing and are aware that drink-driving is dangerous, but without the knowledge of what a standard drink is, people may not be aware of how long it can take to get rid of the alcohol that they have processed, processed. consumed.”
The RSA is investigating an “interlock” mechanism for high-risk offenders under the influence of alcohol.
It has a workgroup looking at it, meaning a person has to breathe into a device to start a car.
An RSA spokesperson told the Irish independent: “As part of the New Strategy Road Safety, (this is) one of the most important actions.
“It is the creation of a working group to consider and make recommendations for the implementation of an alcolock programme, supported by a drug-drug rehabilitation course in Ireland, for offenders at high risk of drink-driving.
“This is down for Q4 2022.”
To date, by 2022, 86 people had died tragically on our roads to date.