RSA launches Christmas Road Safety campaign

The Road Safety Authority is urging drivers nationwide to stay safe and sober this festive season as new data from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) show concerningly high levels of alcohol and other drugs in driver toxicology testing.

New survey research from the RSA has also identified concerning behaviours and attitudes among motorists in relation to driving under the influence.

With December bringing holiday celebrations into full swing, the RSA, An Garda Síochána and the MBRS are urging motorists to stay drug and alcohol free to prevent collisions and protect all road users this Christmas.

During the month of December 2023, 14 people lost their lives on Irish roads and 124 were seriously injured. So far this year, there have been 165 people killed on Irish roads, 5 fewer than the same period last year*. The RSA, An Garda Síochána, and MBRS are calling on everyone to act responsibly to prevent further tragedies on Irish roads. Each life lost is a family left grieving and forever shattered.

Medical Bureau for Road Safety intoxicant testing research

Results of recent MBRS toxicology testing demonstrated levels several times in excess of the legal limits for driving. These include that:

• The median blood alcohol concentrate to date in 2024 was 152mg alcohol per 100ml blood (legal limit is 50mg/100ml).
• The maximum blood alcohol concentration found was 427mg alcohol per 100ml blood (8.5 times the legal limit).
• The mean blood level of cannabis in 2023 was 6.3ng/ml (6 times the legal limit).
• The mean level of cocaine in 2023 was 60.6ng/ml (6 times the legal limit).

In a further development, the MBRS also recently approved two Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (AIIDs) which prevent a vehicle from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol.

Professor Denis Cusack, Director of the MBRS said: “Intoxicated driving with alcohol and other drugs continues to be a major crash risk and problem on Irish roads. It is deeply concerning to see the high number of test results being significantly over the legal limits. Intoxicated driving significantly inhibits a driver’s ability to use the roads safely, putting themselves and all other road users at serious risk. The development of alcohol interlock devices to stop drunk driving has great potential to reduce this danger.”

Road Safety Authority

RSA behaviour and attitudes research, conducted in November 2024, found that 11% of motorists admitted to driving after consuming any alcoholic drink in the past 12 months. Meanwhile, 25% of motorists said: “it is acceptable to drive short distances in your local area after consuming one alcoholic drink”.

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said: “We have witnessed firsthand the tragic consequences and heard the heartbreaking stories of families and communities devastated by road collisions this year. The loss and suffering is immeasurable. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs not only endangers your life but also puts others at risk, leading to empty seats at tables and devastation for families this Christmas. Let’s all commit to reducing lives lost on Irish roads, and make this Christmas a time of joy, not tragedy.”

In recent months, the RSA has piloted the introduction of Flinebox breathalysers in a number of hospitality locations. The scheme is an educational and preventative measure, allowing members of the public to make an informed decision on whether they should and should not drive. Since the pilot was introduced, over 15,774 tests have been carried out. Data to date has shown that 44% of testers who had an alcohol level above 0.22mg/L thought they would be below the legal limit.

As part of its advertising campaigns across TV, on demand, radio and social, over the Christmas and New Year’s period, the RSA will also be promoting Time to Talk TV and Ciaran TV.

An Garda Síochána

To date in 2024, An Garda Síochána have carried out over 100,000 checkpoints, averaging 300 checkpoints per day.

• Almost 50% of checkpoints are Mandatory Intoxicant checkpoints (MIT), established under statutory orders, an increase of 16% over the same period in 2023.
• Breath tests (alcohol) have increased by 26% over 2023.
• Oral Fluid Tests (Drugs) have increased by 57% over 2023.
• To end November 2024, over 7000 drivers have been arrested on suspicion of Driving under the influence of Alcohol or Drugs, over 1 driver every hour, every day.
• 56% of arrests are alcohol related. 44% drugs related. The number of drug driving detections is up 11% on 2023.

• To end November 2024 over 184,000 Fixed Charge Notices (FCN) have been issued for Lifesaver offences (Speeding, distracted driving/ use of mobile phone, non-wearing of seatbelts).

• This is over 550 Fixed Charge notices, for these offences, every day.
• To date, over 29,000 vehicles have been detained by An Garda Síochána, an average of 90 vehicles every day primarily for offences such as No Insurance, Disqualified Driver, L Driver unaccompanied.

Paula Hilman Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda Síochána said: “Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is one of the most fatal factors that put motorists at risk. There are four weeks left in 2024 but so far this year, we’ve detected over 7,000 people driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Over half of these were found to be drink driving.

Those that take drugs or have alcohol before getting into the car to drive are playing roulette with their own life and the lives of other road users. The chances of you getting home safely are not as high as you are. We strongly urge you to please do not get into your car and drive if you have taken alcohol or a quantity of any drug.”