It is a criminal offence to drive or attempt to drive or be in charge of a motor vehicle if you have more than:
80 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of blood
107 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of urine, or
35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 mls of breath
It is absolutely essential that drivers do not drink and drive. Even just above the legal limit, drivers are 5 times more likely to crash than if they have not taken any alcohol.
Many people are killed or seriously injured in drink drive crashes every year. It is not just the drink drivers that suffer, but often their passengers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists and the families of everyone involved.
All employers should specifically raise awareness of morning-after-drink-driving, where drivers could still be over the legal limit.
Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration between 50 and 80 mgs per 100 mls of blood are over 2 times more likely to be in a fatal motor crash. A driver who is double the legal limit is 50 times more likely to be in a fatal crash.
Alcohol impairs judgement, making drivers over-confident and more likely to take risks. It slows their reactions, increases stopping distances, affects judgement of speed and distance and reduces the field of vision.
If convicted of drink driving you’ll:
Lose your licence for 1 to 3 years and possibly your livelihood.
Face a large fine (€5,000) and a significant increase in you vehicle insurance premium.
Get a prison sentence (5 years) if you cause death by dangerous driving. (Same for manslaughter)
Never, ever drink and drive
Drugs Legal and Illegal
Prescription drugs and medicines can impair your ability to drive. Always consult your doctor to ensure that it is safe to drive while taking any drugs
The big three illegal drugs are – cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy. The effects of these drugs cause confusion, lack of coordination, hallucinations, drowsiness, apathy, hyperactivity, blurred vision and lack of concentration.
Alcohol and other drugs affect every aspect of the driver’s physical and perceptive processes. Even some simple prescription medicines contain drugs which affect driving ability and when in doubt, avoid driving until you consult your doctor.
Drugs and drink don’t mix with driving