Madam, – The posturing of the Vintners Federation of Ireland and its lobbying counterparts towards the reduced drink-driving limits contained in the Road Traffic Bill is pathetic (Breaking News, June 24th). To suggest this revision is merely a PR stunt that will have no impact on saving lives is absurd, regressive and wholly unworthy of any responsible entity that seeks to influence public and political opinion.
The very same vested interests fought tooth and nail against the smoking ban six years ago and, thankfully, lost that campaign. if the vice-grip in which they traditionally held governments is weakening this can be attributed to a basic lack of credibility and evidence to support their arguments.
Publicans, and especially rural publicans, need to become much more astute in their approach to attracting and retaining custom. Too many of them are offering a customer experience that is stuck in a time warp which has been obsolete for decades – filthy toilets, shabby facilities, no food, or simply awful food.
One facet of public policy in the road traffic arena that would be worthy of further research is the relationship between suicide and vehicle collisions involving a single vehicle occupant. Sadly, the number of people who take their own life in this manner is greater than might be generally presumed to be the case. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Not to introduce a mandatory ban on those motorists caught driving within the new drink-drive limits of 50mg to 80mg is sending out a misleading message. (Breaking News, June 24th).
The causal link between drink driving and road traffic accidents is unequivocal. Only last week here in the UK the North report recommended that the current limits of 80mg be reduced to 50mg. By so doing it is estimated that some 169 lives would be saved in the first 12 months, rising to 303 within six years.
Our new government, with its populist agenda, is only too aware of the unpopularity of such a measure and appears to be about to place the report on the back- burner. This is to be regretted. Sir Peter North has recommended a measured response to a real problem.
Driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs is a brutal reality in today’s society. Undoubtedly many of us have taken the message on board and make alternative arrangements other than driving home from the local. Sending out the message that a couple of pints will only lead to three penalty points being imposed tends to minimise the issue – and this is incomprehensible. – Yours, etc,