Safe and Responsible Driving flashcards

Front

What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a fully licensed car driver in Ireland?

Back

50mg per 100ml of blood — The legal BAC limit for a fully licensed driver in Ireland is 50mg per 100ml of blood. Exceeding this limit is a criminal offence.

Front

What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for a learner driver in Ireland?

Back

20mg per 100ml of blood — Learner drivers, novice drivers, and professional drivers are subject to a lower BAC limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood.

Front

What is the safest advice regarding alcohol and driving?

Back

Never drink any alcohol before driving — Even small amounts of alcohol impair judgement, reaction time and coordination. The safest approach is never to drink any alcohol before driving.

Front

A newly qualified (novice) driver holds a full licence for the first two years. What BAC limit applies to them?

Back

20mg per 100ml of blood — Novice drivers (within their first two years of holding a full licence) face the same 20mg/100ml limit as learner drivers and professional drivers.

Front

Which of the following drivers is subject to a BAC limit of 20mg per 100ml of blood?

Back

A professional bus driver — Professional drivers (including bus and truck drivers) are subject to the lower 20mg/100ml limit, alongside learner and novice drivers.

Front

How does alcohol primarily affect a driver's ability?

Back

It impairs judgement, slows reaction time and reduces coordination — Alcohol impairs judgement, slows reactions and reduces coordination even at low levels, making driving dangerous.

Front

What effect does drinking coffee or eating food have on your blood alcohol concentration?

Back

It has no effect on how fast alcohol leaves your body; only time reduces BAC — Only time reduces blood alcohol concentration. Coffee, food, water or exercise do not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body.

Front

Driving under the influence of drugs (including some prescription medicines) is:

Back

Illegal if it impairs your ability to drive safely — Driving under the influence of any substance — including prescription medication — that impairs your driving is illegal. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Front

You have been prescribed medication by your doctor. What should you do before driving?

Back

Check with your doctor or pharmacist whether the medicine affects your ability to drive — Some prescription medicines can impair concentration, reaction time or vision. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before driving while on medication.

Front

What is the legal position on driving while impaired by illegal drugs in Ireland?

Back

It is a criminal offence, and Gardaí can conduct roadside drug tests — Driving under the influence of illegal drugs is a criminal offence in Ireland. Gardaí can conduct roadside drug tests.

Front

Is it legal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving in Ireland?

Back

No, it is illegal and carries penalty points — Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is illegal in Ireland and carries penalty points on your licence.

Front

You are stopped at a red traffic light with the engine running. Is it legal to send a text message on a hand-held phone?

Back

No, it is illegal whenever you are in charge of the vehicle with the engine running — Using a hand-held phone while you are in charge of a vehicle with the engine running is illegal, even when stationary at traffic lights.

Front

What is the primary reason hand-held mobile phone use while driving is so dangerous?

Back

It significantly diverts attention, slowing reaction time — Handling a phone diverts both mental and physical attention from driving, dramatically increasing stopping distances and reaction times.

Front

Who is responsible for ensuring that passengers under 17 years old are wearing seat belts in a car?

Back

The driver of the vehicle — The driver is legally responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 17 years of age are wearing a seat belt or using an appropriate child restraint.

Front

Where is wearing a seat belt mandatory in a car in Ireland?

Back

In all seats, both front and rear, where one is fitted — Irish law requires every occupant of a car to wear a seat belt where one is fitted, in both front and rear seats.

Front

A child weighing 40kg and measuring 155cm tall is travelling in your car. Do they need a child restraint?

Back

No, they exceed both the 36kg and 150cm thresholds so a standard seat belt is sufficient — Children who exceed both 150cm in height and 36kg in weight may use a standard adult seat belt without a child restraint.

Front

Children under what height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in a car?

Back

150cm — Children under 150cm in height (or under 36kg in weight) must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in a car.

Front

Where should a rear-facing child seat NEVER be placed?

Back

In the front passenger seat when the airbag is active — A rear-facing child seat must never be placed on a front passenger seat with an active airbag because the airbag could cause fatal injury to the child in a collision.

Front

Under what condition may a rear-facing infant seat be used on the front passenger seat?

Back

Only if the front passenger airbag has been deactivated — A rear-facing child seat may be used on the front passenger seat only if the airbag has been deactivated. An active airbag could cause fatal injury to the child in a collision.

Front

What weight limit applies to the child restraint requirement in Ireland?

Back

36kg — Children under 36kg (or under 150cm tall) must use an appropriate child restraint system when travelling in a car.

Front

How does driver fatigue affect road safety?

Back

It impairs reaction time and judgement, similar to alcohol — Fatigue significantly impairs reaction time, concentration and decision-making to a level comparable to alcohol impairment, making it extremely dangerous.

Front

What is the recommended action if you feel drowsy while driving on a long journey?

Back

Pull off the road safely, rest and take a break before continuing — The only effective remedy for driver fatigue is rest. You should pull over safely, take a break or short sleep before continuing your journey.

Front

Is opening a car window a reliable way to prevent falling asleep at the wheel?

Back

No, it gives only temporary relief; the only reliable remedy is to stop and rest — Opening a window gives only temporary relief. The only reliable solution to driver fatigue is stopping and resting properly.

Front

On a long motorway journey, what is the best strategy to avoid fatigue?

Back

Take regular rest breaks and avoid driving when you would normally be asleep — Regular rest breaks and avoiding driving during your natural sleep hours are the most effective measures against fatigue-related accidents.

Front

At how many penalty points does a fully licensed driver face disqualification in Ireland?

Back

12 points — A fully licensed driver who accumulates 12 penalty points within a 3-year period is automatically disqualified from driving.

Front

At how many penalty points does a learner or novice driver face disqualification in Ireland?

Back

7 points — Learner and novice drivers face disqualification at only 7 penalty points — a lower threshold than the 12 points that applies to fully licensed drivers.

Front

Where are penalty points recorded?

Back

On your driving licence record, accumulating over a three-year period — Penalty points are applied to and remain on your driving licence record, accumulating over a three-year period.

Front

A novice driver already has 5 penalty points on their licence. How many more points will result in disqualification?

Back

2 more points — Novice drivers are disqualified at 7 penalty points. With 5 already recorded, just 2 more will trigger disqualification.

Front

Which of the following offences can result in penalty points being added to a driver's licence?

Back

All of the above — Speeding, mobile phone use while driving, and failure to wear a seat belt are all offences that carry penalty points in Ireland.

Front

A fully licensed driver accumulates 12 penalty points. What happens next?

Back

They are automatically disqualified from driving — Reaching 12 penalty points triggers automatic disqualification from driving. The driver must surrender their licence.

Front

Can a Garda stop your vehicle at any time to check documents?

Back

Yes, Gardaí have the power to stop any vehicle — Gardaí have the legal power to stop any vehicle at any time and request the driver to produce relevant documents.

Front

Can a Garda carry out a breath test at a mandatory checkpoint even if the driver shows no signs of alcohol consumption?

Back

Yes, breath tests can be carried out at checkpoints without requiring reasonable suspicion — At mandatory alcohol checkpoints (MACs) Gardaí can require any driver to take a breath test, regardless of whether they appear impaired.

Front

What is the consequence of refusing to provide a breath sample when lawfully required by a Garda?

Back

It is a criminal offence that may result in disqualification — Refusing to provide a breath, blood or urine sample when lawfully required is a criminal offence and may result in disqualification.

Front

What documents must a driver be able to produce when asked by a Garda?

Back

Driving licence, insurance certificate, and NCT certificate (if applicable) — A Garda can require you to produce your driving licence, evidence of motor insurance, and a valid NCT certificate if the vehicle is subject to testing.