'Drunk Driving' Permits Approved By Irish County

The Kerry County Council in southwest Ireland passed a measure that could legalize for some rural drivers to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol.      

While only 3 council members voted "no" on the proposed legislation, five voiced their support for the creation of special permits for driving in populated areas while intoxicated, according to the Guardian.    

While Ireland has been fighting drunk driving, permits proposed in the Kerry measure would allow rural residents to consume "two or three drinks," according to the Guardian.   

Councillor Danny Healy-Rae, who lead the motion, claimed that citizens drinking and driving in rural areas had "never killed anyone" and argued that the permits would actually help prevent "a lot of them falling into depression," reports Irish news site TheJournal.ie.   

The website also noted that 12 Kerry councilors were not present at the time of voting, and that seven abstained from voting on the measure.       

According to the BBC, alcohol awareness organization “Alcohol Action Ireland” condemned Healy-Rae's request by noting that "almost one in three crash deaths in Ireland is  alcohol-related."