Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have appealed to motorists to plan ahead and organise a safe way home ahead of the Saint Patrick’s bank holiday weekend.
Latest figures show that 42 people have died on the roads this year, three more than this time last year.
Research shows that one in ten people reported driving after drinking alcohol over the past 12 months.
Some 26% of motorists said they believe that driving a short distance after having a drink is acceptable.
Nearly one in four drivers admitted they may have been over the limit when driving the morning after a night out.
RSA Chair Liz O’Donnell urged people to leave their car and keys at home if socialising this weekend.
She told RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne that 196 people were arrested for drink or drug driving over the St Patrick’s weekend last year.
“It’s really important at bank holidays and festive times, that people just be aware of it, aware of the danger of being on the road.
“You can celebrate and you can enjoy St Patrick’s Day but just leave your keys at home. Leave your car at home and keep everybody safe this weekend.”
Ms O’Donnell said there has been “slippage” in the thinking that it is anti social to drink and drive.
Ms O’Donnell said there is “clear” evidence that nightime and weekends are the most dangerous times on the roads and, at a minimum, a harm reduction analysis of the impact of the legislation should be carried out.
“Research from other countries has shown that it does have an impact on road safety if you extend the licensing hours, not so much in cities because there’s public transport, but in the rural areas. We are very concerned that it would add to the dangers on rural roads at night.”
Gardaí and the RSA urged all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The RSA said that its ‘SAY IT’ campaign will continue over the bank holiday weekend, with a specific focus on alcohol.
The initiative encourages people to speak up when they see unsafe behaviours by family or friends on the roads.
Ms O’Donnell said that the RSA is in discussions with the Department of Transport on future funding for the authority to ensure it can do its job.
“There’s a Government road safety strategy, which sets us very ambitious targets. So in order to meet that, the Government is going to have to help us with more money.”
“A collective and societal endevour is needed to drive home the road safety message,” Ms O’Donnell said.
