Reducing the availability and accessibility of alcohol could help reduce the amount of road deaths in Ireland, according to the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland. 

Some 69 people have died on Irish roads in 2024 so far, compared to 51 by the same time last year. 

While the exact cause of road deaths this year have not been made public, drunk driving and drugs are historically a major contribution to fatalities. 

According to previous figures from the Road Safety Authority, 40% of drivers killed on roads had been drinking, with 90% of those being men. 

Alcohol Action Ireland CEO Dr Sheila Gilheany told The Anton Savage Show the level of alcohol consumption in the country is “directly related” to the level of fatalities on the road. 

“That is especially true for young men,” she said. 

“There's high levels of binge drinking, there's large amounts of alcohol being consumed at any one time.” 

Dr Gilheany pointed out 37% of people who drink between the ages of 15 to 24 have a “use disorder”. 

“We know that there are things that can be done to bring down that overall alcohol use,” she said. 

“Controls on price, controls on marketing and advertising, controls on availability. 

“We have a lot of alcohol available to us at very cheap prices. 

“There is concern that we would see an increase in licensing hours - we know there's a direct relationship between increased licensing hours, increased availability and road safety.” 

Reducing alcohol availability

The Alcohol Action CEO cited a Norwegian study that found in rural areas, there is up to a 30% increase in road conditions for every hour alcohol licencing is extended. 

“You might think extending licencing hours wouldn’t make much of a difference,” he said. 

“But actually, when you drill into it, it does make a difference.” 

Dr Gilheany also previously suggested a “cap” on the number of outlets offering alcohol in a given area. 

She said 73% of the population lives within 300 metres of a licenced premise. 

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