We use a 1.4 litre Toyota Yaris. A Balancing Act 50:50
The alien landed on Tara’s Hill and moved around quietly listening to the people, peeping at newspapers and listening to the wireless; he came to the conclusion that the biggest problem currently facing the nation is something to do with driving between certain alcohol limits.
No, not NAMA or the weather or confusion with playing extra time in a few football matches – he’d gravitate the musings of one Minister for Transport.
The figures 80, 50, 20 popped up repeatedly. The number 50 took a woeful bashing, it meant a reduction in consumption from about one pint to half a pint of beer to keep a driver within the new, more sane, limits. There are winners and losers in any argument of this nature. A publican’s son from South Kerry, who wears a black beret, sounded loudly that a couple of pints relaxes body and therefore the driving will be steadier. A Vintners Federation spokesman pointed out that 1,500 pubs and hotels closed in the past 4 years with the loss of a few thousand jobs: random breath testing was taking its toll. Doctors working at accident and emergency departments spoke of their experiences, especially at weekends, dealing with broken bones as a result of ‘accidents’ on our roads. The Minister’s long term plans to reduce consumption by a ‘half measure’ was not getting a Merry Xmas salutation when he presented his Road Traffic Bill last week. Though a semi-rural individual himself, Noel hadn’t fully reckoned with the revolt of the usually quiet rural T.D. They were having none of it; the fabric of rural society was being eroded glass by glass. It was all fine for town and city dwellers who could catch a bus or hail a taxi at will – there was no such facility from Malin to Bantry to Hackballscross. The rural T.D had also to think of the next election: he or she is closer to grass root politics than his urban counterpart . Noel’s hand was forced and a compromise was at hand. The new legislation will mean a driver with a reading of between 50 mg and 80 mg will accrue three penalty points, a fine of €200, but no driving ban. Learner drivers will be subject to a maximum of 20 mg – the smell of a drink!
Having listened attentively on this planet for several weeks it was time for the alien to depart. He was happy with the compromise on the 50 mg – 80 mg reading. But he’s very concerned about a silent trend that’s developing in this fair land: while the pubs decline, ironically there’s an increase in drink sales. So, there’s more drinking done at home, where measures are flaithiul , the fires are brighter but other social and health problems may be developing. Should the single farmer from the side of the mountain be denied his few pints in the pub, his reaction may invoke a greater strain on some other aspect of social services.
Hard to keep the public engine finely tuned down there, says he, flying towards the sun.