Alcohol a factor in nearly 40% of car crashes
Alcohol was a contributory factor in 38% of all fatal road collisions in Ireland between 2008 and 2012, a new report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed.
Alcohol contributed to 38% of all fatal road collisions in Ireland from 2008-2012
The report is the third and largest of its kind and analysed An Garda Síochána Forensic Fatal Collision Investigation files to determine the main contributory factors in collisions.
It found that 983 fatal collisions occurred on Irish roads between 2008-2012, resulting in the death of 1,077 people.
Of these, 867 fatal collisions were analysed to find the cause of the collisions, which showed alcohol was a main factor in two in five (330) collisions, which saw 286 people die. An additional 69 people were “seriously” injured.
“While the majority of people in this country do the right thing, it is shocking to see that alcohol is still a significant factor,” said Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the RSA.
“It shows that while we all understand in theory that we shouldn’t drink and drive or walk home drunk, we still have not fully eradicated the practice in Ireland, and even more harrowing was the sheer number of young people – young men in particular – who lost their lives on our roads as a result of alcohol.”
The report also showed that among the 867 collisions analysed, 38% of all fatal incidents involved a driver, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian who had consumed alcohol.
A further 29% of all fatal collisions involved a driver or motorcyclist who had consumed alcohol and 9% of all fatal collisions involved a pedestrian who had consumed alcohol.
From the 947 people killed in the 867 collisions, alcohol played a part in 38% of all driver deaths; 30% of all motorcyclist deaths; 47% of all pedestrian deaths; 42% of all passenger deaths.
In addition, 86% of drivers and 51% of passengers were killed while not wearing a seatbelt who had consumed alcohol.
As a result, consumers and drivers are being urged not to drink and drive and to find alternative, safe routes of transport home if they do decide to have an alcoholic beverage.
“For some, the temptation may be there but I would urge these people to think carefully about the choices they make,” said Shane Ross, minister for transport, tourism and sport.
“We know alcohol promotes risky and potentially life-threatening behaviour – not just among drivers, but among all road users.”
