Lowering of drink drive limit - Nanny state strikes again

Hank_Jones · 22-09-2011 1:01pm #1

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0922/drink.html

A Bill that will pave the way for the introduction of lower drink-driving limits is being published today.

The Road Traffic No 2 Bill will allow for mandatory breath testing at the new limits, which are due to be introduced next month.

It will reduce the legal blood alcohol limit from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg per 100ml.

Instead of the current ban, those found over the new 50mg limit will be given three penalty points and an on-the-spot fine of €200.

However, if they are found to be over the existing limit of 80mg they will be automatically disqualified from driving for six months and fined €400.

The option of taking a fine and points rather than going to court can only be availed of once in a three-year period.

Those who drive for a living and learner drivers will be subject to a 'virtually zero' limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood.

If they are caught over the limit they will be disqualified for three months and fined €200.

Dr Denis Cusack of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety in UCD says that the only way people can guarantee not being over the new limits is not to drink and drive.

Testing equipment calibrated for the new limits is due to become available in the comings weeks.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar will then announce a date for the introduction of the new limits, which is expected to be in October.

Why do we have to conform with everything that the EU do?

We have politicians that are a bunch of sheep, lowering the limit by such a small percentage isn't going to affect those that are drink driving.

If people want to drink drive, they are going to, shouldn't punish the people that want to go for one and drive home.

Turtyturd · 22-09-2011 1:03pm

I fail to see the problem.

AeoNGriM · 22-09-2011 1:03pm

Hank_Jones wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0922/drink.html

Why do we have to conform with everything that the EU do?

We have politicians that are a bunch of sheep, lowering the limit by such a small percentage isn't going to affect those that are drink driving.

If people want to drink drive, they are going to, shouldn't punish the people that want to go for one and drive home.

Feckoff, if you want to drink, then either stay at home or take a bus/taxi.

Anyone who drinks and then gets behind the wheel of a car is a complete muppet, regardless of how much they've had.

DoesNotCompute · 22-09-2011 1:04pm

What you gotta love is the Vitner's Federation take on this: "new drink-driving limits are killing the pub business!!! OMFGz!!1!1!"

It's the extortionate prices that publicans are charging for pints that is killing their business, thank you very much.

Temptamperu · 22-09-2011 1:04pm

If you wanna drink leave the car at home. I think anyway.

foxyboxer · 22-09-2011 1:05pm

There shouldn't even BE a limit.

mikemac · 22-09-2011 1:06pm

Hank_Jones wrote: »

shouldn't punish the people that want to go for one and drive home.

You must remember the eighties?

"Two will do" "and if you do, no more then two"
Big advertising campaign

Ancient history now

DoesNotCompute · 22-09-2011 1:06pm

Hank_Jones wrote: »

Why do we have to conform with everything that the EU do?

It's part and parcel of being a member of the EU, I'm afraid.

Hank_Jones wrote: »

If people want to drink drive, they are going to, shouldn't punish the people that want to go for one and drive home.

People shouldn't drink drive, full stop, IMHO.

FatherLen · 22-09-2011 1:06pm

zero tolerance.

--Kaiser-- · 22-09-2011 1:08pm

Nanny state?
LOL
Banning smoking in pubs is the nanny state in action.
Banning drinking and driving is common sense.

DoesNotCompute · 22-09-2011 1:08pm

FatherLen wrote: »

zero tolerance.

here, here, 30 lashes and beheadings for anyone caught drink driving

Rented Mule · 22-09-2011 1:10pm

My only worry with lowering the limit would be being stopped the next day.

If I go out for a drink, leave the car at home, take a taxi/bus/walk home and then get stopped the next day and get done. Something is wrong there.

ejmaztec · 22-09-2011 1:10pm

All the piss-heads at the wheel will have to move to Cyprus.

http://www.safetravel.co.uk/EuropeDrinkDrivingLimits.html

0.0 mg per ml– Estonia, Malta, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary
0.2 mg per ml– Norway, Poland, Sweden
0.4 mg per ml- Lithuania
0.5 mg per ml- Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany (Germany is 0.3 if you’re in an accident), Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Serbia/Montenegro, Croatia, Latvia, Macedonia, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Cyprus (North)
0.8 mg per ml– UK, Ireland (NOW), Luxembourg, Malta, Switzerland
0.9 mg per ml Cyprus (South)

Sykk · 22-09-2011 1:14pm

I don't see the point in banning 1/3rd of a pint.. Who drinks that much?! Ban it altogether!!

listermint · 22-09-2011 1:15pm

I dont see why its necessary to differ from the likes of our nearest neighbour the UK,

I mean we have one of the lowest road fatalities in Europe. All this hype on Alcohol i suspect is more for one of these Quangos the RSA to justify their existence. This has nothing to do with safety, more over its a strategy to justify more public spending on RSA marketing campaigns.

People should see straight through this but they dont.

Why dont they put the cash into something thats worthwhile like Cancer Research or bloody after care units.

and for those who said Zero alcohol limits, if you had any notion of the amount of substances with alcohol present you wouldnt be talking out of your hoop. Everyone would be over that limt....

Hoop talkers.

Hank_Jones · 22-09-2011 1:16pm

I seem to have wandered into a joint FG/FF convention...

Degag · 22-09-2011 1:17pm

People don't kill other people after a pint or two. They kill people driving after 10 pints or so. I drive home after a few pints and have no problem saying so. I've never killed anyone or came close to it. Have always being comfortable with my driving ability and of being within the limit most of the time.

Lando Griffin · 22-09-2011 1:18pm

Mickeling is 86 and lives 7 miles from town. He comes into town every night to enjoy a drink or two and play some cards and chat among the neighbours. This is what keeps Mickeling going. The pub owner assures me that Mickeling could drink 10 pints and get home safely, now Mickeling is looking at having to walk the seven miles, which is extremely dangerous as he may stagger out in front of coming car or maybe stagger into a drain full of brambles and get kilt.
Every time Mickeling leaves the pub, the publican wonders if the next time he will see Mickeling being the centre of attention at a wake?
If he were allowed drive home this would not happen. Its all right for city folk who can get taxis home, but out the country they are two a penny, once again a nail in the coffin of the publicans and the traditions of rural society where the pub used to be the hub of the parish.

ejmaztec · 22-09-2011 1:19pm

Degag wrote: »

People don't kill other people after a pint or two. They kill people driving after 10 pints or so. I drive home after a few pints and have no problem saying so. I've never killed anyone or came close to it. Have always being comfortable with my driving ability and of being within the limit most of the time.

*Godwin Alert*

Hitler didn't drink and he killed millions.

mkdon05 · 22-09-2011 1:20pm

I think you should be allowed have the 1 pint but in saying that 1 pint can effect different people in different ways. (Small lady who normally has 3 glasses of wine and is off her face as opposed to 17stone lad who would regularly down 10 pints)

Garda I know, his party piece is to pull out the breathalizer at parties. One oul boy didnt fail it until he finished his 9th can of beer.

Its the whole getting done the next morning is the real sickener.

fontanalis · 22-09-2011 1:20pm

Funny there's never a nanny state when people want debt forgiveness.

XxMCRxBabyxX · 22-09-2011 1:22pm

Lando Griffin wrote: »

Mickeling is 86 and lives 7 miles from town. He comes into town every night to enjoy a drink or two and play some cards and chat among the neighbours. This is what keeps Mickeling going. The pub owner assures me that Mickeling could drink 10 pints and get home safely, now Mickeling is looking at having to walk the seven miles, which is extremely dangerous as he may stagger out in front of coming car or maybe stagger into a drain full of brambles and get kilt.
Every time Mickeling leaves the pub, the publican wonders if the next time he will see Mickeling being the centre of attention at a wake?
If he were allowed drive home this would not happen. Its all right for city folk who can get taxis home, but out the country they are two a penny, once again a nail in the coffin of the publicans and the traditions of rural society where the pub used to be the hub of the parish.

Or the publican could end up being at Mickeling's wake after he lost control of his car because of those 10 pints.

You think someone who would need to "stagger" home could easily drive home?

The lax attitude of people who genuinely seem to think that there is no problem with drinking and driving is quite shocking tbh.

Alcohol affects your system and even a bit can affect your judgement, why take the risk of driving?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-09-2011 1:22pm

Hank_Jones wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0922/drink.html

Why do we have to conform with everything that the EU do?

We have politicians that are a bunch of sheep, lowering the limit by such a small percentage isn't going to affect those that are drink driving.

If people want to drink drive, they are going to, shouldn't punish the people that want to go for one and drive home.

Law I don't like = nanny state now?

FFS, I want to plant an axe in my neighbour's head, but the law says I can't . Damn nanny state.

mikemac · 22-09-2011 1:22pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

*Godwin Alert*

Hitler didn't drink and he killed millions.

He did. Had the occasional beer

Never smoked though

krudler · 22-09-2011 1:23pm

Degag wrote: »

People don't kill other people after a pint or two. They kill people driving after 10 pints or so. I drive home after a few pints and have no problem saying so. I've never killed anyone or came close to it. Have always being comfortable with my driving ability and of being within the limit most of the time.

Thats possibly the most stupidly irresponsible thing anyones every posted on here, being "comfortable with your ability" doesnt mean the day wont come where you've had a few and kill someone as a result.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 22-09-2011 1:24pm

Lando Griffin wrote: »

Mickeling is 86 and lives 7 miles from town. He comes into town every night to enjoy a drink or two and play some cards and chat among the neighbours. This is what keeps Mickeling going. The pub owner assures me that Mickeling could drink 10 pints and get home safely, now Mickeling is looking at having to walk the seven miles, which is extremely dangerous as he may stagger out in front of coming car or maybe stagger into a drain full of brambles and get kilt.
Every time Mickeling leaves the pub, the publican wonders if the next time he will see Mickeling being the centre of attention at a wake?
If he were allowed drive home this would not happen. Its all right for city folk who can get taxis home, but out the country they are two a penny, once again a nail in the coffin of the publicans and the traditions of rural society where the pub used to be the hub of the parish.

Mickeling chose to live in the country seven miles from the pub. Move closer. Stay over night in town. There are taxis in rural areas.

And are you serioulsy saying that man who cannot walk home in a straight line is still safe enough to drive?

Ever time mickeling leaves the pub in a car, everyone else worries that they'll be at someone else's wake nake week.

Degag · 22-09-2011 1:26pm

XxMCRxBabyxX wrote: »

You think someone who would need to "stagger" home could easily drive home?

Reminds me of a fellow in the pub one night. Had a few pints too many and was going driving home. Some fella says to him "You're not going drving Mike are you?" Reply was, "Well i can't fúcking walk!"

True story, not saying i condone it or anything, just what happened.

Hank_Jones · 22-09-2011 1:26pm

Wondering what people's positions are on driving while fatigued?

Suppose we'll all have to have 8 hours sleep before getting behind the wheel now...

Temptamperu · 22-09-2011 1:27pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

*Godwin Alert*

Hitler didn't drink and he killed millions.

According to his well regarded and meticulously researched biography by Professor Ian Kershaw he was fairly abstemious but did drink very very occasionally. There are instances of him drinking wine and beer - he shocked his hosts once by putting sugar in his vintage red wine, this was in the twenties -
And he was also offered Czech Pilsner beer when he visited Prague after the Nazi invasion. He didn't like it because it was too bitter for him. There is no record of him taking drugs.

his doctor did give him possibly amphetamines together with opiates for stomach problems (Kershaw, Nemesis 2000; 728)

But he never drank and drove

Jimoslimos · 22-09-2011 1:28pm

No problem with the reduction, 80,50,20 mg/L all generally mean the same thing - one drink = over the limit.

I DO however have a problem with different laws applying to learner drivers. Just because you have 20yrs experience doesn't make you any less suceptible to the effects of alcohol and certainly shouldn't mean the rules are more lax for you. In fact you could argue that experienced drivers SHOULD know better (than a learner D) and therefore a greater punishment would be in order.

Degag · 22-09-2011 1:28pm

krudler wrote: »

Thats possibly the most stupidly irresponsible thing anyones every posted on here, being "comfortable with your ability" doesnt mean the day wont come where you've had a few and kill someone as a result.

Why is it? I'm not breaking the law. You don't need alcohol in your system to cause a fatal accident and having alcohol in your blood does not necessarily mean that it was a contributary factor in causing an accident either.

ejmaztec · 22-09-2011 1:29pm

mikemac wrote: »

He did. Had the occasional beer

Never smoked though

He was probably pretending to drink beer to suck up to the Bavarians, and as for smoking, he did manage to have a lot of people smoked.

Hank_Jones · 22-09-2011 1:32pm

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Mickeling chose to live in the country seven miles from the pub. Move closer. Stay over night in town. There are taxis in rural areas.

And are you serioulsy saying that man who cannot walk home in a straight line is still safe enough to drive?

Ever time mickeling leaves the pub in a car, everyone else worries that they'll be at someone else's wake nake week.

In order for Mickerling to abide by your suggestions,
I would think he would require a high paying job,
as he would spend a feckin fortune on taxi fares.

Or he could leave the house that he has lived in for maybe 50 years and move to another,
with moving house surely being an enjoyable process for an 86 year old man.

billybudd · 22-09-2011 1:33pm

Drink Driving is for idiots, if you cant afford a taxi or arrange dd then dont go out.

on the other hand people would be alot less angry about this if regional and city councils stopped wasting money and actually put in proper public transport in every village, town and city in Ireland instead of spending vast amounts of money going abroad to ''study'' how other countries do things. :rolleyes:

Temptamperu · 22-09-2011 1:34pm

Hank_Jones wrote: »

In order for Mickerling to abide by your suggestions,
I would think he would require a high paying job,
as he would spend a feckin fortune on taxi fares.

Or he could leave the house that he has lived in for maybe 50 years and move to another,
with moving house surely being an enjoyable process for an 86 year old man.

But he can spend a fortune on drink every night?

TheZohanS · 22-09-2011 1:36pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

There shouldn't even BE a limit.

FatherLen wrote: »

zero tolerance.

I disagree, but not so people can have a cheeky pint at lunchtime or after work. If you're out on a session the night before and you still have a tiny amount of alcohol in your system the next day(not the next morning) it would be too harsh to lose your licence.

Anyone that drinks and drives is a complete muppet in my book.

Hank_Jones · 22-09-2011 1:36pm

Temptamperu wrote: »

But he can spend a fortune on drink every night?

Last time I checked a pint cost around €4.

One pint, plus petrol expenses.

Guy:Incognito · 22-09-2011 1:40pm

mkdon05 wrote: »

Its the whole getting done the next morning is the real sickener.

Why? Whats the differnce? If you've got the same amount of alcohol in your system the morning after being locked as if you drove home the night before after 3 pints, is it not the same thing?

Lando Griffin · 22-09-2011 1:41pm

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Mickeling chose to live in the country seven miles from the pub. Move closer. Stay over night in town. There are taxis in rural areas.

And are you serioulsy saying that man who cannot walk home in a straight line is still safe enough to drive?

Ever time mickeling leaves the pub in a car, everyone else worries that they'll be at someone else's wake nake week.

He cant stay in town as his elderly wife is bed ridden.

There is only one taxi available and costs 20 euro to bring him home as the taxi driver has to be covered for the return trip.
Anyway, Mickeling would have to wait thill the publican is finished serving and cleaning up as he drives the taxi.

Orando Broom · 22-09-2011 1:44pm

Hank_Jones wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0922/drink.html

Why do we have to conform with everything that the EU do?

We have politicians that are a bunch of sheep, lowering the limit by such a small percentage isn't going to affect those that are drink driving.

If people want to drink drive, they are going to, shouldn't punish the people that want to go for one and drive home.

Absolutely agree 100% with you, there should be no limit. You get caught with alcohol in your system irrespective of amount, whilst in charge of a car, you should get a ten year ban and a three grand fine.

Shiny · 22-09-2011 1:44pm

Lando Griffin wrote: »

Mickeling is 86 and lives 7 miles from town. He comes into town every night to enjoy a drink or two and play some cards and chat among the neighbours. This is what keeps Mickeling going. The pub owner assures me that Mickeling could drink 10 pints and get home safely, now Mickeling is looking at having to walk the seven miles, which is extremely dangerous as he may stagger out in front of coming car or maybe stagger into a drain full of brambles and get kilt.
Every time Mickeling leaves the pub, the publican wonders if the next time he will see Mickeling being the centre of attention at a wake?
If he were allowed drive home this would not happen. Its all right for city folk who can get taxis home, but out the country they are two a penny, once again a nail in the coffin of the publicans and the traditions of rural society where the pub used to be the hub of the parish.

My parents live 2 miles away from their local in the town. Its far too dangerous to walk home so they park the car at the pub and the pub owner drops them home instead.

He does this for all the patrons who are far away from the pub (about a dozen or so). My parents drink there every weekend as a result of knowing that they will get dropped home. It works both ways, they appreciate the lift and the publican appreciates their business.

XxMCRxBabyxX · 22-09-2011 1:44pm

Lando Griffin wrote: »

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Mickeling chose to live in the country seven miles from the pub. Move closer. Stay over night in town. There are taxis in rural areas.

And are you serioulsy saying that man who cannot walk home in a straight line is still safe enough to drive?

Ever time mickeling leaves the pub in a car, everyone else worries that they'll be at someone else's wake nake week.

He cant stay in town as his elderly wife is bed ridden.

There is only one taxi available and costs 20 euro to bring him home as the taxi driver has to be covered for the return trip.
Anyway, Mickeling would have to wait thill the publican is finished serving and cleaning up as he drives the taxi.

Or if he wants to go out that badly he could walk or "stagger".
Still way safer than driving, particularly for others

ejmaztec · 22-09-2011 1:44pm

Temptamperu wrote: »

According to his well regarded and meticulously researched biography by Professor Ian Kershaw he was fairly abstemious but did drink very very occasionally. There are instances of him drinking wine and beer - he shocked his hosts once by putting sugar in his vintage red wine, this was in the twenties -
And he was also offered Czech Pilsner beer when he visited Prague after the Nazi invasion. He didn't like it because it was too bitter for him. There is no record of him taking drugs.

his doctor did give him possibly amphetamines together with opiates for stomach problems (Kershaw, Nemesis 2000; 728)

But he never drank and drove

Perhaps the anti-drink driving campaigners might use him as a role model to front their campaign? T-shirts, badges, balloons and hats.

Degag · 22-09-2011 1:45pm

Orando Broom wrote: »

Absolutely agree 100% with you, there should be no limit. You get caught with alcohol in your system irrespective of amount, whilst in charge of a car, you should get a ten year ban and a three grand fine.

OH FFS.:rolleyes:

Sticjones · 22-09-2011 1:46pm

Jimoslimos wrote: »

No problem with the reduction, 80,50,20 mg/L all generally mean the same thing - one drink = over the limit.

No that is complete nonsense I'm afraid.

I have been breathalyzed minutes after finishing 4 pints (which is technically 6-8 standard drinks) and passed no problem. Likewise someone else on the thread said he had to finish the 9th can before failing the garda breathalyzer.

I would be very surprised if anyone on the planet (regardless of weight/height/age/tolerance/etc) would have a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.8mg after a single drink.

The King of Moo · 22-09-2011 1:46pm

Lando Griffin wrote: »

He cant stay in town as his elderly wife is bed ridden.

There is only one taxi available and costs 20 euro to bring him home as the taxi driver has to be covered for the return trip.
Anyway, Mickeling would have to wait thill the publican is finished serving and cleaning up as he drives the taxi.

And he's spending half his time in the pub?

For shame, Mickeling.

The Dagda · 22-09-2011 1:51pm

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

Nanny state?
LOL
Banning smoking in pubs is the nanny state in action.
Banning drinking and driving is common sense.

Logic fail!

Smoking WILL damage your health (and the health of the people around you), in fact, smoking kills. Fact. So the banning of smoking in working places is a great piece of proactive legislation.

Drinking and driving, whilst wrong and dangerous, is not guaranteed to hurt anyone.

summerskin · 22-09-2011 1:51pm

shure here in da country we need a couple of pints in the morning just to make us relaxed enough to drive........

seriously though, I always drive after 1 or 2 pints but no more than that. have to drive 30k miles a year for work so wouldn't want to risk losing my license, and that's the only reason.

ejmaztec · 22-09-2011 1:53pm

All the pubs will close and the country will be riddled with shebeens selling bootleg.

Sticjones · 22-09-2011 1:56pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

All the pubs will close and the country will be riddled with shebeens selling bootleg.

Fingers crossed!

listermint · 22-09-2011 1:58pm

Orando Broom wrote: »

Absolutely agree 100% with you, there should be no limit. You get caught with alcohol in your system irrespective of amount, whilst in charge of a car, you should get a ten year ban and a three grand fine.

Please read post 15, then consider your stance.

Lowering of drink drive limit - Nanny state strikes again

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