drivers and drinking: an amárach research/rte frontline report september 2011
DESCRIPTION
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.TRANSCRIPT
1 Drivers & Drinking
Drivers & Drinking September 2011
© Amárach Research
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 Drivers & Drinking
Drink Drivers
22% 29%
15% 13% 21% 19%
29% 27% 22% 21%
66% 61%
70% 71% 67% 70% 56% 63% 67% 63%
13% 10% 15% 16% 12% 11% 15% 10% 11% 16%
Total Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Urban Rural
Drink & Drivers Q. do you ever drink & drive within the legal limit?
Yes No Don't Drink
One in five Irish drivers drinks and drives whilst staying within the current limit. Men and 45-54 year olds are more likely to drink and drive. There are no differences between people living in urban vs. rural areas.
Base: sample of Irish drivers
Source: Amárach Research, September 2011
4 Drivers & Drinking
New Limits
55% 54% 56%
37% 44%
52%
71% 76%
54% 57%
45% 46% 44%
63% 56%
48%
29% 24%
46% 43%
Total Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Urban Rural
Awareness of Change Q. have you heard about the changes to drink driving
laws coming into force this month?
Yes No
Just over half of all drivers have heard about the new drink driving limits. However only a minority of drivers under the age of 35 are aware of the changes. Rural drivers are slightly more aware of the changes than urban drivers.
Base: sample of Irish drivers
Source: Amárach Research, September 2011
5 Drivers & Drinking
General Approval
Drivers are generally in favour of the new, lower limit.* Rural drivers are less in favour of the change – one in four think the change is a bad thing.
Base: sample of Irish drivers
Source: Amárach Research, September 2011
68% 68% 69% 63% 72% 69% 65%
72% 70% 64%
20% 22% 19% 22%
16% 24% 21%
19% 18% 25%
12% 10% 12% 15% 12% 7% 14% 9% 12% 11%
Total Male Female 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Urban Rural
Lower Limit Q. attitudes towards new, lower limit
A Good Thing A Bad Thing Don't Know
* 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.
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
Drivers & Drinking
About Amárach Research
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Drivers & Drinking
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