Never ever drink and drive.
The RSA has compiled useful facts and statistics as part of their For Ciarán campaign.
Four year old Ciarán Treacy was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver in April 2014. His mother Gillian, (who was seriously injured in the collision), her husband Ronan, the emergency services who attended the collision and the medical team who fought to save Ciarán’s life are all featured in this ‘Crashed Lives’ ad campaign.
Key Facts:
The Road Deaths and Alcohol report examined road user fatalities (2013-2017) with a positive toxicology for alcohol. Of the 600 road user fatalities with a toxicology result available, 36.5% (n = 219) had a positive toxicology for alcohol.
Of the 219 road user fatalities with a positive toxicology for alcohol:
- 86% were male
- 76% were <45 years of age
- 69% had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) >150mg/ml
- 65% took place between 9pm-6am
- 60% took place on Saturday-Monday
- 72% took place on rural roads (≥80km/h speed limit)
Of the 135 driver/motorcycle driver fatalities with a positive toxicology for alcohol:
- 77% were driving a car, 16% a motorcycle, and 7% a goods vehicle (heavy or light)
- 92% were male
- 82% were <45 years of age
- 69% had a BAC >150 mg/ml
- 61% took place between 9pm-6am
- 64% took place on Saturday-Monday
- 79% took place on rural roads (≥80 km/h speed limit)
- 70% were single vehicle collisions
- As a result of the 135 fatal collisions, 146 people died and 72 were injured
The driver attitudes and behaviour survey, 2020 showed
- 9% of motorists consumed alcohol before driving in past 12 months
- 27% of those who consumed alcohol before driving in the past 12 months, had 2 or more drinks before doing so
- 58% of Irish motorists said they feel they cannot consume any alcohol before driving and be safe to drive,
- 43% of all motorists said that to remain under the legal limit, they cannot have consumed any alcohol before driving
- 25% of motorists agreed ‘there were times when they have been over the limit the morning after a night out’.
- 92% of motorists agreed ‘driving under the influence of alcohol seriously increases the risk of a collision’
There were 8,159 drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2020
For more information on the campaign click here.
This year the RSA are sponsoring the Joe Drennan RSA Award, Journalism Relating To Road Safety. For submission guidelines click here.
This is a great opportunity for students to learn about road safety and to have their work published.
Submissions are now open and close 12th March 2025.