Attwood concerned over one in four driving after one drink

ROAD Safety Minister Alex Attwood says he’s concerned that over a quarter of people in Northern Ireland still drive after having one drink.

The Minister was speaking after the annual Road Safety Monitor survey published today (October 25) revealed that almost three quarters (72%) of respondents are opposed to drinking and driving.

Alex Attwood said “These figures concern me. At present more than a quarter of drivers are taking a risk by driving after having one drink. Even small amounts of alcohol impair driving, so thinking that you can have one drink and drive safely isn’t realistic.

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“There has been a lot of work done over a number of years to make drink driving unacceptable and now we need a further behaviour change. I have just finished consulting on a draft Bill that will introduce lower drink drive limits and a new graduated penalty regime. It also includes new powers for roadside check-points where all drivers could be asked to take a breath test, sending a strong message that testing will become more likely.”

Mr Attwood continued: “Car drivers under 25 hold only 11% of full car licences yet are responsible for 44% of all road fatalities where the car driver was deemed at fault. That is why the Bill will include provisions to target this issue by introducing a de facto zero limit of 20mg/100ml for novices within their first two years of driving.

“I plan to bring this Bill to the Assembly by the end of the year, with a view to the legislation being passed by summer 2013.

“My message is clear - never ever drink and drive.”

The 2012 survey, commissioned by the Department of the Environment, was designed to examine respondents’ behaviours and attitudes, and their awareness of specific road safety issues.

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It helps monitor the effectiveness of the Department’s education and advertising strategies, test community support for road policing enforcement activities, and contribute to ongoing road safety policy development.

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