Motorists' safety fears revealed
31/07/2010 - 19:52:33Almost a fifth of Irish motorists feel unsafe on the roads, a survey for the AA said today.
With eight killed including a group of youths and a pensioner in the state’s worst accident in Co Donegal this month, road safety is at the top of people’s concerns.
However today’s report also said fewer people were drinking and driving and there had been improvements in the death rate.
AA director of policy Conor Faugnhan said: “Irish road safety has been something of a success story in recent years.
“Fatalities are down by 42% in the last decade. However we still have a long way to go to make our roads the safe environments that they should be and this is evident in the findings of the AA poll.”
This month’s research, which quizzed 6,700 motorists, also said 36% of people had driven after more than two drinks in the past but only 4% had done so in the last year.
Last month the AA welcomed the passing of the 2010 Road Traffic Bill which heralds the reduction of Ireland’s drink drive limit from 80 mgs to 50 mgs, along with a lower 20mg limit for learner drivers and professional drivers.
An AA Motorists’ panel poll last October showed 65% of Irish motorists supported the proposed reduction.
Mr Faugnhan added: “Most people feel very strongly that it (drink driving) is a disgraceful behaviour that should be severely punished.”
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