Do we need more roadside breath tests?
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Text 51551. Today with David McCullough on RTE Radio 1.
Alcohol Action Ireland is calling for more roadside breath testing on Irish roads. The organisation is appearing before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport this morning where CEO Dr Sheila Gilheny will raise Road Safety Authority data which shows that three in four people deem it unlikely or very unlikely that they'll be breath tested on a typical journey. And also the fact that Ireland has the lowest levels of roadside breath testing in the EU. Our reporter Maura Fay was out and about in Kinnagad in County Westmeath this morning to ask people if they'd ever been breathalysed. Oh, I'm sorry, we don't have that. Well, I'm joined by Tony Toner of Orange Works Automotive, a former Garda, and by Paddy Common, Head of Communications for Dundeele Cars.
What are the current statistics on roadside breath testing in Ireland?
Good morning to you both. Paddy, have you been breathalysed?
No, never. Never? I've driven about 30 years and I've never been rat tested. And my life is driving cars and I haven't once. So yeah, I mean, look, it's a survey of one, but I think it's an experience that many people would say they haven't been tested.
Okay, how about you, Tony?
Good morning, David. Morning, Paddy. Yes, I live in the city. I've been breathalyzed about six times, I'd say. And as a non-drinker, it is the cause of huge merriment if I have my two sons in the car. As the next guy, they're getting breathalyzed. to trigger their warped sense of humour.
OK, well, I have been breathalysed a grand total of once. I think we can go back to Moira Faye getting the views of people in Kinegad. Never breathalysed, ever.
How long are you driving?
About five years.
And have you ever come across a checkpoint where you were asked to blow into something?
No, I've been pulled in before, but never had to be breathalysed or anything or nothing at all.
Would you be ever worried about being breathalysed?
Not really, no. I don't drink a whole pile, so not too bad. But I'm sure there's tourists bothering a lot of people in the country, yeah. Yeah, I've been breathalyzed, yeah.
When was that?
How do people in Kinnagad feel about breath testing?
Last year. Did you pass okay? Yeah, I did, yeah. I did a drug test as well, so I don't want to swab your mouth.
Do you think the guards are doing enough breathalyze testing?
No, I don't think so.
Why is that?
There's not much guys around. They've been off doing other things. Not doing what they're meant to be doing. Must have been about 25 years ago, I'd say.
What personal experiences do guests have with breath tests?
Really?
Yeah, yeah.
Would you be concerned about ever being breathalysed when you're out driving?
Of course I would, yeah. But I haven't been breathalysed in about 25 years, so... Is that a cause of concern, do you think? Probably, yeah. But there is a scar of checkpoints out there, but they're not breathalysing, just checking for driver's licenses. About 30 years ago.
30 years ago?
Yeah.
And you haven't been breathalysed since?
No.
Do you think that's a cause of concern, the lack of breathalysing happening on the road?
I don't think. Okay. No, I haven't been breathalysed in years.
Would you like to see more breathalysing and drug testing happening?
Yeah, big time. No, never been breathalysed.
How long are you driving?
Five months.
Is it something you'd like to see happen more frequently?
I'd say it has to be looked at a bit more, yeah, definitely.
Do you think there's a problem with drink driving in Ireland?
Slightly, on the edge, yeah, slightly.
Explain that to me.
More so the local things, the local ends of it, such as... People who maybe live out in the country and have a local pub and then maybe say, sure, I've only drank a few and home's only a few minutes away. So that's where it kind of starts. That's people in Kinegad talking to Maura Fay. Paddy, that last point about people taking the risk because they think the chances are very low, that's kind of worrying, isn't it?
Yeah, it is. And look, there's RSA stats that back that up in terms of attitude. You know, one in four people think that there's no issue in driving a short distance if you've had alcohol, which is sort of beggar's belief because of, you know, a huge amount of accidents occur within a short distance from home.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:58
2
What are the current statistics on roadside breath testing in Ireland?
0:58–2:17
3
How do people in Kinnagad feel about breath testing?
2:17–2:39
4
What personal experiences do guests have with breath tests?
2:39–6:07
5
Why do some people believe they won't be breathalysed?
6:07–12:55