RSA Annual Conference Examines Drink & Drug-driving
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is hosting its Annual International Road Safety Conference today in Dublin, bringing together national and international experts to examine one of the most urgent challenges in road safety — driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
This year’s conference comes at a pivotal time. Despite longstanding efforts, intoxicated driving continues to contribute significantly to road fatalities in Ireland and across Europe. It is estimated that 25% of all road deaths in the EU are alcohol-related, for example.
The conference will explore the latest research, behavioural insights, technological innovations, and international best practices to better understand and address the issue.
It coincides with the launch of the RSA’s new TV-led ad campaign, which challenges the social acceptability of drink-driving. It appeals directly to the public to protect their friends, and other road users, by ensuring their friends do not drink-drive.
According to data from the latest international E-Survey of Road Users’ Attitudes (ESRA, 2023), 9% of drivers in Ireland admitted to driving within one hour of taking drugs (other than prescribed or over the counter medication) at least once in the previous 30 days — higher than the EU average of 7%. And while drink-driving reports in Ireland are lower than the EU average, (10% versus 15% report driving after drinking alcohol at least once in the last 30 days), alcohol continues to play a devastating role in crashes.
RSA analysis of coronial data of driver fatalities between 2016 and 2020 revealed that 35% of drivers with toxicology results available tested positive for alcohol. That figure jumps to 70% for driver fatalities that occurred late at night and into the early morning (between 10pm-6am).
Speakers will address a range of topics, including evolving trends in drink and drug-driving, enforcement strategies, the role of medical and behavioural interventions, and the use of alcohol ignition interlock devices — a proven technology already in use across several European countries to prevent drink-driving among high-risk offenders.
The conference will also feature a presentation by Dr Kiran Sarma from the University of Galway, who will discuss the latest findings of an in-depth, RSA-commissioned, study of drug-driving.
International perspectives, including Belgium’s success in implementing an offender-based monitoring programme using alcohol ignition interlock technology, will also feature.
Seán Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports will open the conference. He said: “The research at this year’s conference is a powerful reminder that intoxicated driving has real, and often tragic, consequences. It is up to each of us — drivers, families, communities — to take ownership of our behaviour behind the wheel and drive safely.”
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs means slower reaction times, reduced alertness, impaired judgment, and poor vision, which drastically increases the risk of serious collisions. We at the RSA are committed to educating and informing drivers of the risks, so that motorists can make informed decisions. Our new anti-drink-driving campaign launched by Minister Canney today and the recent anti-drug driving campaign is testament to that. Everyone has a role to play when it comes to road safety, and I urge everyone to do better so we can reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on Irish roads”.
Professor Desmond O’Neill, Director, National Office for Traffic Medicine, Trinity College Dublin said: “We have been collaborating with a working group in Ireland to develop a roadmap for an integrated alcohol ignition interlock programme, supported by a drink-driving rehabilitation course, for high-risk offenders. When fully implemented, this approach has the potential to significantly reduce repeat drink-driving offences, lower crash rates, and ultimately save lives on Irish roads.”
