Gardaí stopped a tractor driver “suspected” of drink driving on the main street in Bailieboro, Co. Cavan at around 2:00a.m on Saturday night (Saturday, November 2).
Gardaí said that the driver was “all over the road”. The tractor had no lights turned on and failed to stop at a stop sign.
Blood samples were taken at the scene of the incident and a file will soon follow, according to An Garda Síochána.
Gardaí warned road users to “never drink and drive”. The drink driving limit in Ireland is 50mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
However for “specified drivers”, a lower limit of 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood applies. A “specified driver” includes learner drivers, novice drivers, professional and commercial drivers.
Gardaí
Gardaí advise that it takes about one hour for each unit of alcohol to pass through the average person’s system. One unit is the equivalent to half a pint of beer, a small measure of spirits or a small glass of wine.
In 2023 An Garda Síochána detected 8,863 drivers for driving under the influence offences. A total of 46,165 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing Checkpoints were conducted last year. Figures for 2024 have not yet been released.
Research presented by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that one in 10 Irish motorists have driven after consuming alcohol in the last year.
Of those who admitted consuming alcohol, the incidence was higher among male drivers (14%), those who drive for work (14%), and those with a history of collision involvement (24%).
Almost one in three (28%) of this group admitted to consuming two or more drinks on the last occasion they drove after consuming alcohol, in the last 12 months.