New questions relating to drink driving have been added to the driver theory test and will take effect from 10th October 2016.
If you are taking a driver theory test on or after that date, you will need to study the 5th or 6th edition of the driver theory test book alongside the following document:
http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/
http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/
Since its foundation over 30 years ago, MAG Ireland (The Irish Motorcyclists’ Association) has consistently campaigned against the scourge of drink driving.
That it remains a problem today despite the formation of the RSA, the saturation media coverage of the don’t drink and drive message, the introduction of random breath testing and more severe penalties for drink drivers shows just how deeply rooted this problem is in Irish society.
Nobody who has consumed alcohol and then taken control of a motor vehicle can claim ignorance of the law today. In that context, we’re unsure what the additional questions in the theory test can bring to the table other than doubling down on the message that drinking and driving don’t mix. It would appear that there is a cohort of drivers and riders who simply don’t care.
Research released to coincide with the start of Irish Road Safety Week (3rd-9th October 2016) highlighted the levels of drink-driving among motorcycle riders, with 29% of those caught in a fatal accident having alcohol in their system.
The report also revealed that 30% of those who were at fault for accidents had no insurance and 15% did not hold a current motorcycle licence at the time of the collision. These figures suggest that we are dealing with extreme behaviour. Someone who gets on a motorcycle while intoxicated and who doesn’t hold a license is hardly likely to take any notice of campaigns aimed at the law abiding majority of riders who will face ever more stringent measures as a result of the extreme behaviour of a small minority.
For our part, MAG Ireland will continue to promote the safe and responsible use of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds including the importance of riding sober.