Carlow Native MEP raises concerns over Ireland's drink driving alcohol limits

Carlow native and Ireland South MEP and member of the EU Transport Committee, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú has said Ireland should follow Spain’s lead in reducing our blood alcohol limit for drink driving from 0.5 grammes per litre down to 0.2 grammes per litre. According to Ní Mhurchú, the new lower limit that Spain has introduced puts them on the same level as Norway and Sweden, two of the safest countries in Europe in terms of road safety.

Ní Mhurchú also feels we should follow the lead of countries like Italy and Germany in lowering the legal alcohol limits for Learner Drivers to zero. According to Ní Mhurchú, learner drivers should not be allowed to consume any alcohol when learning how to drive.

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Ní Mhurchú made her comments in the European Parliament as we enter the Christmas party season, a flash point for road traffic deaths. 167 (*) people have been killed on our roads thus far in 2024.

Within the EU, 19 member states have a 0.5 legal limit, 3 countries have a 0.2 legal limit, Lithuania has a 0.4 legal limit and 4 EU member states have a zero legal limit for drink driving. The Czech Republic is one of 4 EU countries that operates a zero alcohol limit for drink driving. Road deaths in the Czech Republic in 2023 were the second lowest since records began in 1961.

Repeat drink drivers

The annual report of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety in Ireland identified repeat offending as a problem when it comes to drink and drug driving with 265 drivers arrested in 2023 for intoxicated driving more than once. One particular driver was arrested seven times. Spain has also taken a leading role in the promotion of alcohol interlocks, which can prevent drivers who are over the limit from starting the engine. Ní Mhurchú has previously called for the widespread use of alcohol interlocks to tackle repeat drunk drivers. The driver must blow into a device before every trip to ensure they are below the legal alcohol limit.

How long to process a drink?

According to the HSE, it takes most people 1 to 2 hours to process 1 standard drink and nothing can speed up the absorption of alcohol by your body. For example, drinking water or coffee, eating or having a shower will not make the alcohol in your blood disappear any faster. Only time can do that.