Madam, – The silly politician, Mattie McGrath, who promotes drink as a relaxant for drivers makes us all a laughing stock internationally. He should visit the National Rehabilitation Hospital to see the “survivors” of road traffic accidents who are rebuilding their ruined lives in the aftermath of being nearly killed. I am a “survivor” and now live in Acquired Brain Injury Ireland supported accommodation, along with people seriously injured by drink-drivers.
My accident happened on St Stephen’s Day 1999 and there were no millennium celebrations for my parents, just prayers that I, their only child, would stay alive. They spent New Year’s Eve in the intensive care unit and must have been the loneliest people in the world. I was unconscious for 10 days, a year in hospital, and spent the past 10 years recovering from a brain injury (a condition no one ever fully recovers from.) I had to re-learn to walk, to talk, to read, to eat, to wash, to use the toilet; all while the brain trauma created unbearable pain and frustration, as it occasionally still does.
Driving requires full attention to a number of things, and sensible doctors agree that drink always slows reactions, particularly in high-risk situations. Will the stupid politicians who think drink-driving is okay need to lose their own lives or their children’s lives to change their views? The statistic of thousands of deaths and life-changing injuries because of this social evil brings shame on this country. Why can’t our politicians make laws to protect lives instead of protecting selfish careless criminals?
Ever had to visit a psychiatric hospital because of trauma? Ever told by a doctor “you’ll spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair”,or “you’ll never work again?” Thought not. Drivers take the lives of all road-users into their hands. No drink should pass their lips. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The time has come for our Taoiseach to show he is in charge of the country. He must face down the Fianna Fáil backbenchers, impose discipline and take the road traffic legislation through the Oireachtas. He should affirm publicly that he stands in full support and agreement with his Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, who has displayed both patience and moral courage in the face of backbenchers who are apparently more concerned about the the alcohol-drenched fabric, which they call society, than with saving lives. The Taoiseach must now state categorically and without a scintilla of equivocation that there will be no diminution of the legislation or of the penalties which apply.
Out of 27 EU countries, 24 have already reduced the level for alcohol to 50mg and there has been a significant reduction in fatal collisions. The Road Safety Authority conservatively estimated that there would be 10 fewer deaths in the year following the lowering of the level to 50mg. In some states in the US a 20 per cent reduction in fatal collisions occurred following such a lowering.
It is time for leadership and common sense from the Taoiseach and all in Leinster House, as this legislation deserves support from all sides. – Yours, etc,