We all know that driving under the influence of alcohol is not only irresponsible, but also illegal: anyone found drunk behind the wheel risks paying a fine, having their license revoked and even a fine. prison sentence. We are therefore surprised to learn that not only are motorists still driving under the influence, but they are also doing so more than ever in Northern Ireland.
According to PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland) statistics, there were 418 incidents involving drivers under the influence between November 2019 and January 2020. This number is up 30% compared to the same period last year and the highest in 12 years. Northern Ireland has strict alcohol limits for drivers, with 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath, with different levels for blood and urine.
But while these levels are strict, it has certainly not stopped drivers from getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol, with drivers aged between 14 and 83 being stopped by police.
According to statistics from Drinkdriving.org, around 85,000 people are convicted of drink driving offenses each year in England and Wales alone. This does not include Northern Ireland, which saw 13,772 people referred to police for prosecution between 2012 and 2016 for drink or drug driving.
Drinking under the influence is dangerous not only for the driver, but also for potential passengers and for other motorists who can be devastating by the actions of a person who has made the decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence alcohol. .
We share the sentiments of the PSNI Deputy Chief Constable, who described recent figures in Northern Ireland as “frustrating” and “disappointing”. Many campaigns have been launched over the years to highlight the negative effects that drunk driving can have. Although the dangers of drinking while under the influence are known, it seems a small minority still don’t get the message.
