New alcohol limits for drivers come into force this month in Ireland. Amárach Research and RTE Frontline asked a representative sample of Irish drivers about their awareness of the changes - and their reaction to them.

1. Drivers & Drinking
September 2011
Drivers & Drinking © Amárach Research1

2. Drivers & Drinking
New limits and penalties relating
to drink driving in Ireland come
into force in September 2011.
For the first time a new, lower
alcohol limit means that drivers
found over the new limit (but
below the next highest limit) will
not be automatically banned from
driving but will face a fine and
penalty points.
RTE Frontline & Amárach
Research conducted an online,
representative survey of 700 Irish
drivers in September 2011 to
gauge their views on the new,
lower limit.

3. Drink Drivers
Drink & Drivers
Q. do you ever drink & drive within the legal limit?
13% 10% 15% 16% 12% 11% 15% 10% 11% 16% One in five Irish drivers
drinks and drives whilst
staying within the
current limit.
61% 63% 67%
66% 67% 70% 56% 63% Men and 45-54 year
70% 71%
olds are more likely to
drink and drive.
There are no
29% 29% 27% differences between
22% 21% 19% 22% 21%
15% 13% people living in urban
Total Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Urban Rural vs. rural areas.
Yes No Don't Drink
Base: sample of Irish drivers
Source: Amárach Research, September 2011
Drivers & Drinking 3

4. New Limits
Awareness of Change
Q. have you heard about the changes to drink driving
laws coming into force this month?
Just over half of all
29% 24% drivers have heard about
45% 46% 44% 48% 46% 43% the new drink driving
63% 56% limits.
However only a minority
of drivers under the age
71% 76% of 35 are aware of the
55% 54% 56% 52% 54% 57% changes.
37% 44%
Rural drivers are slightly
more aware of the
Total Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Urban Rural changes than urban
Yes No
drivers.
Base: sample of Irish drivers
Source: Amárach Research, September 2011
Drivers & Drinking 4

5. General Approval
Lower Limit
Q. attitudes towards new, lower limit
12% 10% 12% 15% 12% 7% 14% 9% 12% 11%
Drivers are generally
16% 24% 19% 18% in favour of the new,
20% 22% 19% 21% 25%
22%
lower limit.*
Rural drivers are less
in favour of the
change – one in four
68% 68% 69% 63% 72% 69% 65% 72% 70% 64% think the change is a
bad thing.
* New, lower limit of 50mg (equivalent
Total Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Urban Rural to drinking less than a pint) which
means that those found just over that
A Good Thing A Bad Thing Don't Know limit will pay an on-the-spot fine of
€200, and get 3 penalty points, but not
Base: sample of Irish drivers be banned from driving.
Source: Amárach Research, September 2011
Drivers & Drinking 5

6. Drivers & Drinking
RTE Frontline Questions:
Q. Do you ever drink and drive, keeping within the legal limit?
- Yes
- No
- Don’t drive
- Don’t drink
Q. Have you heard about the changes to drink driving limits coming into force this month?
- Yes
- No
Q. New drink driving limits come in to force this month. For the first time there will be a
new, lower limit of 50mg (equivalent to drinking less than a pint) which means that those
found just over that limit will pay an on-the-spot fine of €200, and get 3 penalty points, but
not be banned from driving. Previously, anyone found over the old (higher) limit was
automatically disqualified from driving. Do you think the new lower limit, without a
mandatory disqualification from driving is:
- A good thing
- A bad thing
- Don’t know
Fieldwork completed 13th-18th September 2011

7. Drivers & Drinking
About Amárach Research
We are an independent market research
agency, providing a full range of research
services to our Irish and international
clients. We have worked with two thirds of
Ireland’s top 200 companies. Every year
we survey over 100,000 people at home
and abroad, as well as running hundreds
of focus groups.
Our experienced team of directors and
executives manage online, face-to-face
and cati surveys; as well as qualitative
research including focus groups, in-depths
and ethnographic studies. We also offer a
unique field-only service to universities and
international agencies.
Amárach Research is proud to be:

8. Drivers & Drinking
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