You would think that badly lit, windy country roads would be the hardest to navigate as a driver, especially if you were irresponsible enough to have a few drinks on you but one Kerryman is insisting that the government change their drink-driving laws – but only for people in rural areas.
A group of Kerry County Council councillors are planning on writing to Justice Minister Alan Shatter asking for permits to be issued to people in rural areas to allow them to drive after having “one or two drinks” after a motion was passed by the majority of councillors in the area.
The controversial proposal headed up by the equally controversial Independent councillor Danny Healy-Rae was devised during a local council meeting and Healy-Rae is justifying their request with claims that rural people are “travelling very minor roads… with very little traffic” and “have never killed anyone”.
So why is the councillor proposing this highly irresponsible exception to the rule? As well as claiming that older people in more isolated areas would benefit from being able to go to the pub as a social outlet, he is also claiming that it would help reduce suicide amongst the elderly.
Healy-Rae thinks it’s ok to drink and drive
Would that be in your pub Danny? The one you own and run in Kilgarvan?
Not surprisingly, the three other councillors who supported the motion – Michael O’Shea, Michael Cahill and Bobby O’Connell are all – you guessed it – publicans.
Speaking about the proposal, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority Noel Brett criticised the irresponsible message Healy-Rae and his supporters are advocating, and said the greatest toll in deaths and injuries from road accidents have been in rural areas.
“There is very strong evidence which makes an irrefutable link between the consumption of alcohol and impairment,” he added.
Seven councillors abstained during the motion and 12 were not present for the vote.
