Gardai in Naas came across shocking scenes in recent days as a driver trying to reverse their car nearly ended up in the adjacent river.
The car was trying to make the manoeuvre beside a canal when they were intercepted by members of the local Roads Policing Unit.
It was suspected that the driver was intoxicated and so, gardai at the scene opted to transfer the motorist to a station nearby.
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Here, they were given a breath test and it was found that they were four times over the legal alcohol limit when they nearly entered the water.
The driver has since been charged by gardai and is due to appear in court, as officers confirmed: “This driver almost ended up in the water when trying to turn their car beside the canal, encountered by Naas RPU.
“Driver was intoxicated and arrested for drunk driving. When tested at the station, the driver was over 4 times the legal limit.
“Driver charged & to appear in court.”
In Ireland, the current drink-driving limit is a BAC of 0.05, but for professional, learner, and novice drivers the limit is 0.02.
According to HSE calculations, most people will have a BAC of 0.02 to 0.05 after one standard drink.
Fully licenced drivers detected by An Garda Síochána with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of between 50mg and 80mg, will receive an automatic disqualification from driving of three months and a €200 fine - while the penalties for learner, novice and professional drivers remain the same.
Drivers are reminded that it takes most people 1 to 2 hours to process one standard drink - that means after 3 standard drinks you should wait at least 3 hours before driving.
After you stop drinking, the alcohol levels in your system can continue to rise for up to 3 hours.
Nothing can speed up the absorption of alcohol by your body, for example, drinking water or coffee, eating or having a shower.
These will not make the alcohol in your blood disappear any faster - only time can do that.
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