Alcohol levels in killed drivers and pedestrians on Irish roads 2003-2005: a national study

No official data are provided in Ireland to indicate what proportion of the deaths on Irish roads have alcohol as a contributory factor. The aim of this study was to identify the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in fatally injured drivers and pedestrians in Ireland. An Garda Síochána (The Irish police) gather data on all fatal road crashes and individual paper files are kept on each crash. The authors examined all such files for deaths in 2003-2005. Of the 611 drivers fatally injured, 184 (30.1%) were over the BAC legal limit (80 mg/100 ml). BACs were available for only 397 (64.9%) of drivers. Of the 397 drivers who had their BACs recorded, 184 (46.3%) had a BAC over the legal limit of 80 mg/100 ml and 220 (55.4%) had BACs 20 mg/100 ml or higher. Fatally injured drivers with BACs 20 mg/100 ml or greater were more likely to be male (88.6%/o, p<0.01). Alcohol-related crashes were more likely to occur on week end nights. Pedestrian alcohol consumption was considered to be a contributory factor in 50 (24.4%) of the pedestrian deaths with 22 (10.7%) of the pedestrians having alcohol levels exceeding 240 mgl/100 ml. This study confirms that alcohol is a significant factor in road deaths. Further targeted action including a reduction in the legal limit is required.