Statement

WEIR WELCOMES DRINK DRIVE COMMITMENT

Posted on: November 2, 2009

“I welcome the statement by Environment Minister Edwin Poots that as part of a package of road safety measures that he will taking action to reduce the drink driving limit in the New Year. The comments were obviously in response to the controversy in the Republic of Ireland, and while the exact level is still to be finalised, the commitment to reduce it to the proposed level in the Republic, if not lower, would bring us into line with most other European countries, is a victory for common sense and road safety.

We have sadly seen in North Down the deadly annual carnage of road victims, and any action which can spare some local families this tragedy is something which will be embraced throughout North Down. While other causes of road accidents such as speed and inexperience both need to be and will be tackled, in many deaths drink driving is either the cause or a large contributory factor in road fatalities. There can be no excuse for drink driving, and this pledge will bring greater certainty to the position and protect the lives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.”