'Tougher' NI drink driving laws needed

Drink driving penalties in Northern Ireland are not tough enough, a new survey revealed today.

Drink driving penalties in Northern Ireland are not tough enough, a new survey revealed today.

Even though motorists face automatic 12-month bans and heavy fines, Road Safety Monitor research found 51 per cent of those consulted said the consequences were not very severe.

Just over half of respondents believed punishments for offenders should be reviewed.

Half of respondents said no drink should be consumed if driving, although 7 per cent felt they could drive after three drinks.

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Other findings of the report included:

  • One in five motorists said they would be unlikely to travel with a drink driver
  • Nearly half of drivers questioned admitted they have felt drowsy when driving; a third of them said it happened on motorways.
  • Two-fifths under-estimated the number of units contained in a pint of beer.

PA