Drink and drug-driving a key concern amid a spike in road fatalities this year

● Significant numbers testing positive as ‘slip in driver behaviour over past five years’ noted

An Garda Síochána was provided with 30,000 roadside drug testing kits last year and has requested the same amount this year as the force grapples with a major spike in road fatalities, according to the head of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) Professor Denis Cusack.

Alcohol was a contributory factor in 30pc of road crashes last year and the number of road deaths this year is already nearly 30pc more than the same time period last year, Prof Cusack said. At the time of going to print, 63 people have died on Irish roads.

If the current statistical trend continues, some 200 people could die on Irish roads this year, making it one of the worst years in decades for road fatalities, he warned. However, while the “news is bad” we must now try and turn the tide and address and counteract the “slip in driver behaviour over the past five years”, he said.

The MBRS is responsible for chemical testing of intoxicants in drivers in Ireland. Last year it examined over 5,700 blood and urine tests of motorists who failed a roadside intoxicant test, while gardaí tested a further 4,000 motorists.

Prof Cusack said that the top four reasons for road fatalities were speed, drivers under the influence of an intoxicant, not wearing a seatbelt and driver distraction.

In relation to people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs — and often both at the same time — he said the news was stark.

“The legal limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. Last year, 75pc of drivers [who were over the limit] were detected at over 100ml and 33pc were over 200ml.

This is significantly over the limit. This is not people just having one drink and getting into their car, it’s significantly more,” he said.

“One motorist was detected with 430ml of alcohol in their system. That is nearly nine times over the legal limit. That could be a fatal amount of alcohol in someone’s system.”

Almost 4,000 people who tested positive for alcohol in a blood or urine test were then also sampled for drugs. Of that number, 75pc of motorists also tested positive for drug-driving, added the expert.

“This shows there are a significant amount of people who are driving under the influence of both alcohol and drugs,” he added.

Prof Cusack said that while drivers’ personal responsibility was paramount there were also new measures that can be taken to try and deter people from driving under the influence.

The MBRS has just finished trialling a breathalyser device that will stop a driver from starting a vehicle if their alcohol level is above the legal limit. Prof Cusack believes the alcohol ignition interlock device will have a positive impact on road safety.

“We had a public notice for manufacturers and we have just approved one of these devices for use in Ireland. The aim is that it could be used to help repeat drink-driver offenders who often might need other medical help with an alcohol problem.

“The devices could be used for motorists to reduce their disqualification time from driving. They are not going to solve all our problems. They could just be one part of the solution. But in five to 10 years I believe they could become standard in all cars. To begin with we will be rolling them out on a voluntary basis in commercial fleets and school buses.”

The Government previously asked a working group to consider the benefits of introducing an alcohol interlock device. The alcohol ignition interlock device was demonstrated at a Safe and Sober conference in UCD earlier this year in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority.

Once installed, at an initial cost of €1,000, a driver will not be able to start their vehicle if they are over the legal driving limit for alcohol.

Bus company Matthews Coach Hire installed the system for its drivers and has found the device can detect the alcohol from mouthwash.

In Belgium the device has been used as part of education and rehabilitation programmes for those who have drinking problems.

It is being considered for use instead of custodial sentences, whereby someone must prove they are sober before they can regain the use of their licence or vehicle.

While it would be costly, the MBRS extensively examined ways the device could be used more widely.

In terms of drug-driving, Prof Cusack said that the cannabis, cocaine and Benzodiazepines (mainly Valium) were the three most common drugs in that order being detected.

He advised people on medication to check with their doctor that it would not impair their driving. He said that some strong painkillers could return a positive result at a roadside drugs test and advised vigilance and caution.

While driving at speed and under the influence were two of the most serious errors that often lead to road fatalities, there are other factors that must be considered.

“The problems and the messaging is the same. But if we are going to compare statistics from 15 years ago, we must consider that there’s been a major population increase, we also now have 20pc more cars on the roads and an big increase in the number of people with a driving licence. That’s not an excuse, it’s just a part explanation.

“Any road death is one too many. The current trend was apparent at the end of last year. Research from the Road Safety Authority shows there has been a slip back in driver behaviour over the past five years.”

Prof Cusack acknowledged that the road fatality statistics were grim and now was the time for all road users to take greater responsibility, including passengers in cars and pedestrians.

“People need to make the decision about who is driving, before they go to the pub or to a party. Passengers can say no. It might sound trite but a taxi is much cheaper than a life. I don’t believe any driver goes out with the intention of killing themselves or others. The reality also is that 80pc of our fatal crashes are occurring on rural roads, not our motorways,” he pointed out.

Awareness is key to reducing road deaths and Prof Cusack said he was optimistic the national discussion because of the rise in road deaths will turn the tide.

The head of the MBRS, who also works as a coroner, said he has seen first-hand the devastation the loss of a loved one has on a family.

“The devastation is traumatic. People will never forget the moment that gardaí came to their door with that news,” he said.

“As bad as the situation is right now I believe we have to have hope. We can look at what we need to do better and we all must have hope and determination that we are on the right track. The situation right now is depressing but we mustn’t give up.”

People will never forget the moment that gardaí came to their door with that news