The head of the Road Safety Authority has said there's no excuse for people in rural areas to drink and drive.
The head of the Road Safety Authority has said there's no excuse for people in rural areas to drink and drive.
Moyagh Murdoch has been speaking to Clare FM in light of figures which show a rise in drink driving here in December, and after a spike in road deaths last year.
17 people were caught drink driving in Clare last month, up from 14 in December 2015 while a total of 187 people lost their lives on Ireland's roads last year.
That figure also represents a rise on 2015.
In light of this spike, new legislation is being considered which would see people named and shamed if they're put off the road, as well as reduced blood alcohol limits.
Any clampdown on drink driving would lead to concern in rural areas, which do not have the same access to public transport or taxies, but Road Saftey Authority Chief Executive Moyagh Murdock has told Clare FM that's no excuse.
Some politicians still say more services need to be put in place, however.
Fine Gael MEP for South Ireland, Deirdre Clune is calling for the use of in-car breathalysers for repeat offenders but also thinks it's vital that better transport services are in place.
However, one of Clare's rural Councillors thinks that's designated drivers are the most practical option.
Former TD and Independent representative James Breen thinks Moyagh Murdock's suggestion is fair.
