Drink-driving is a stupid, selfish act.
Not only do you put yourself in danger when you get behind the wheel after even a few pints, but you seriously risk the lives of other people on the road.
Just ask any family or community that’s lost members to drink-driving and they’ll tell you how devastating one person’s ignorance can be.
Ireland has worked hard to tighten up drink-driving laws in recent years, and it’s not before time.
According to the RSA, between 2008 and 2012, alcohol was a contributory factor in 38 per cent (over a third) of all fatal collisions.
That means that of the 983 fatal crashes on Irish roads at that time, roughly 374 of those were alcohol related.
That’s at least 374 lives taken away over drink.
And finally, it appears attitudes are changing. 91 per cent of Irish adults (and 91 per cent of motorists) think any driver caught over the drink driving limit should be automatically disqualified from driving.
We’re now at a level of almost zero tolerance, both in the law and in the eyes of the public, if the above statistics are anything to go by.
But quiet pockets of rural Ireland hold a secret – drink-driving is a part of everyday life.
The Healy-Raes
Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae caused quite a bit of consternation yesterday when he compared drink-driving to eating a big meal before driving.
“If you actually eat too much and get in behind the wheel of a car, you are a danger on the road because you are liable to fall asleep after eating a big meal,” he told the Oireachtas Transport Committee.
Predictably, online commenters weren’t in agreement.
“It’s incredible that TD’s should be arguing FOR people to have the right to drink and drive… Did these eejits become brain doners before they entered the Dail ????”
“Shocking that he has a platform to spout this shite. It’s truly dangerous”
“What an utter waste of DNA.”
“This TD should resign with his campaign.”
This isn’t the first time Healy-Rae brothers have advocated for drink drivers.
Danny previously requested that people in rural areas would get permits to allow them to have two or three drinks before driving home.
His brother Michael earlier this year said that drink-driving statistics were “shoved down our throats” and were “unfair and misleading”.
The brothers are wholly, completely wrong in this – no matter where you stand, you can’t stand over a practice that kills people. End of.
That said, I can see why they continue to make this argument, despite being attacked every time they do.
The fact is that the people they represent rely on rural pubs. In a village with no shop, post office, Garda station or young population, the pub is often the beating heart of the community.
Rural loneliness is also very real. If you’re a 75 year-old bachelor living a mile and a half from the nearest other living person, the pub is your only outlet.
For many, it’s an outlet you’ll only get to by car. A taxi services is something that urban dwellers take for granted.
Despite their importance, country pubs are on their knees. A 2014 report for the Vitner’s Federation of Ireland called for an ‘urgent’ halt to rural pub closures.
“Participants of focus groups frequently described publicans as ‘pillars’ and ‘sentinels’ of their communities with pubs functioning as information centres as well as informal job centres.” the report stated.
“The Irish government should carefully consider the opportunity costs associated with pub closures in remote areas of the country.”
So the value of the rural pub is clear and the Healy-Raes are simply lobbying for the people who elected them – something any elected representative should do.
But if they really want to look after people, they should be campaigning for grants for rural pubs to run a pick-up and drop-off service or for better community supports rather than calling for people to be allowed to hop into the car drunk and put everyone else at risk.
