Madam, – Publican Bobby O’Neill (September 2nd) believes that reducing the current high 80mg blood alcohol level would be devastating to his business and the industry in general.
This sounds analogous to a rope-maker bemoaning the end of hanging. Studies have repeatedly confirmed that drivers with a blood/alcohol level of between 50mg and 80mg are more prone to speeding, have impaired vision and greater difficulty judging distances.
Alcohol is still a factor in one- third of all road fatalities so “the old mindset of “a few pints won’t do any harm” is unfortunately still alive and well in Ireland. The warning to “Never, ever drink and drive” should mean just that and if that means that publicans have to actually improve their product to maintain their profits, then so be it. I, for one, am not willing to accept the death of even one innocent person as the price to be paid to keep a few pubs open. – Yours, etc,