New laws to allow nightclubs to open until 6am and pubs until 2.30am will lead to more trauma and deaths on Irish roads, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned the Government. The RSA letter draws attention to Ireland’s “significant problem with drink-driving”, with a national survey last year finding one in 10 drivers reported driving after drinking. Last year, the State witnessed the highest number of road deaths in nine years, at 188 fatalities, with a high proportion occurring at weekends, late at night, and early in the morning, Ms O'Donnell wrote. She said the proposed legislation will “jeopardise” the Government’s targets to reduce the number of road deaths by 50% by 2030 and achieve zero deaths and injuries by 2050. “International research indicates that such extensions can increase drink-driving and increase road traffic collisions on rural roads,” she wrote.

Source: Irish Examiner March 12, 2024 20:11 UTC