Emotional Impetus...
In 1985, two events took place that gave non-governmental impetus to the campaign. The first was the publication by the IAS of "A Quiet Massacre", a paper critical of government policy and which provided the agenda of debate on the drink drive issue for the next six or seven years.
The second event was the founding of the Campaign Against Drinking and Driving (CADD) by two men who had suffered the loss of children in road crashes caused by drinking drivers.
CADD was set up to support the families of victims killed and injured by drunken and irresponsible drivers. Its message was that not nearly enough was being done to prevent other people becoming the innocent victims of drinking drivers and that existing policies and penalties in relation to drinking drivers, especially those who killed or injured others, did not adequately reflect the true nature of the offence.
CADD attracted a great deal of public attention. By the courage of victim families in speaking out, they made the anti-drink drive message real and relevant, not just a matter of statistics.
CADD provided the emotional impetus which had until then been lacking in the campaign. The public were confronted by tragic human stories which aroused in them the need for change.
CADD influenced the government campaign which can be seen in the message of the last 10 years "Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lives".
CADD campaigned successfully for the new offence of causing death while under the influence of drink or drugs, which at first carried a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment which later, under pressure, was doubled to 10 years maximum imprisonment.
CADD continues to demand Random Breath Testing and a zero limit but in addition it provides advice and information on criminal and civil law to victims of road crimes and helps families to cope with their grief.
Challenges remain...
Whilst the number of people killed and injured in drink related crashes has fallen substantially over the last fifteen years, the percentage of drivers and riders killed in accidents who were over the illegal limit has fallen much less. It has never dropped to the level which was achieved during the first year of operation of the Act.
Drink-related deaths and injuries
Estimates of total casualties in accidents involving illegal alcohol levels
Year |
Fatal |
Serious |
Slight |
Total |
|
1979 |
1790 |
9100 |
21600 |
32500 |
|
1984 |
1170 |
6820 |
19410 |
23390 |
|
1990 |
760 |
4090 |
15550 |
20400 |
|
1991 |
660 |
3610 |
13610 |
17880 |
|
1992 |
660 |
3280 |
12770 |
16710 |
|
1993 |
540 |
2660 |
11780 |
14980 |
|
1994 |
540 |
2840 |
11780 |
15160 |
|
1995 |
540 |
3000 |
12450 |
16000 |
|
1996 |
540 |
2780 |
12230 |
15660 |
Publicity Campaigns
The publicity campaign which followed the introduction of the Breath Test concentrated on individuals losing their licence. Due to lack of money, campaigns stopped for a few years. After the Blennerhassett report campaigns recommenced in 1978. The most effective began in 1987 "Drinking and Driving Wrecks Lives". A theme which has continued until the 1997 Christmas message "None for the Road".