MOTORISTS who insist on sitting behind the wheel while shaking off a morning-after hangover, have been put on red alert by local gardai, issuing a timely reminder of the new lower limits levels lwhich come into effect from November 1.
With a special emphasis on this holiday weekend and the danger of road traffic collisions, Inspector Paul Reidy of the Garda Traffic Corps, speaking to the Limerick Post, noted that to the end of August, 28 people were arrested and charged in Limerick after failing a breathalyser test between 6am and midday.
He revealed up to five drivers a month so far this year have failed early morning tests and are subject to prosecution, driving bans and fines at the District Court.
Of the 368 arrests, upwards of 10 per cent failed the morning after intoxication test, and it is feared figures may rise with the introduction of the new lower limits at the start of November.
The percentage figures of early morning detection have not seen any major difference from the same period in 2010 to this year. However, Inspector Reidy says that as the gardai begin to step up their checkpoints, the reduced limits should make drivers more conscious of their decisions.
He also adds that the limits for “specified drivers” must be noted as they will see a sharper decrease in the legal limits.
Gardai say they will be targeting this area of driving this weekend and over the coming weeks, especially with the social and Christmas season about to get into full swing.
