Emergency doctors favour drink-drive move

[Posted: Tue 03/11/2009]

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) has welcomed Transport Minister Noel Dempsey's plan to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit in drivers from 80 to 50 mg.

The Association represents physicians who work in hospital emergency departments (EDs).

The IAEM says the reduction in death and injury which would result from this measure outweighs all other concerns that have been raised by groups opposing the change.

"Reducing the limit offers a clear signal that Ireland will not tolerate drink driving." the IAEM said.

It points out that all too often, and particularly at weekends, those who staff the country's EDs deal with broken and maimed bodies following 'accidents' in which a driver has consumed alcohol.

Many of those injured are victims of such drink drivers, the IAEM has pointed out.

"The statistics don't fully represent these forgotten people; people whose lives have been changed forever because of the selfish decision of another to drink and drive," the IAEM said.

anony  Posted: 03/11/2009 14:04

It is one thing changing the law but another thing to have that law enforced. After it becomes law there will be mass checkpoints all over the place fior a week or two and then it is back to normal. How many people lost their lives due to alcohol where the driver responsible for the accident was between 50 and 80mg? How many people died as a result of speed where there was no alcohol on the driver responsible? I think that all energy should have been directed at 'speed' as injuries and death will reduce if speed is reduced.

buzz  Posted: 03/11/2009 15:03

Well said anony, drink drivers are easier targets than speeders so of course they are the natural focus.

To join the discussion, register by clicking here