Motorists may be over limit the following afternoon

Date Published: 29-Oct-2009

One of Galway’s best known solicitors has claimed that plans to cut the drink driving limit will leave motorists in
danger of being over the limit – coming home from work a day after consuming the drink in the first place.

Solicitor Gearoid Geraghty, who himself comes from a family steeped in Fianna Fail, said that the proposed new legislation will also lead to pubs closing – and break the fabric of rural life forever.

The Ballinasloe based solicitor believes that if the limit is reduced, then those who have consumed a lot of drink could be over the legal limit the following afternoon.

Mr. Geraghty, son of the late prominent Fianna Fail activist Patsy Geraghty, said that the party must listen to its own supporters and its rural TDs.

“It is almost impossible to argue that any drinking and driving is acceptable when the consequences of such driving can cause injury or death.

“There are, however, other consequences which have to be balanced against this dreadful scenario”, Mr. Geraghty stressed.

He said that if the Government brings in this legislation, then Galway will become similar to Norway where rural pubs closed down. “The fabric of rural life will be forever broken”, he remarked.

But Mr.Geraghty highlighted another consequence of reducing the drink driving limit – the morning after effect.

“The best scientific evidence I have seen would seem to suggest that alcohol leaves the body at the approximate rate of half a pint per hour.

“Now, go to a wedding, a funeral, a family celebration, celebrate an All-Ireland winning performance and stay out late, drink eight pints and go to bed at 2am.

“Not alone would you be over the new proposed limit if you got up to go to work the following day, you would be over it, technically, coming home from work”, Mr. Geraghty pointed out.

There are divided views on the proposal reduce the drink driving level with some Fianna Fail backbenchers revolting against the move.

They are arguing that the pub is the only social outlet elderly rural dwellers and that they are not responsible for the carnage on the road.

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