The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross, has today announced the commencement of the drink-driving provisions of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, with effect from 26 October 2018.
These provisions will ensure that all drink drivers, without exception, will receive a driving disqualification. They remove the concession in previous legislation by which some drink drivers have been able to receive penalty points instead of a disqualification.
Speaking today, Minister Ross said:
I am very pleased to formally commence these measures, which mark a further significant step in clamping down on the scourge of drink driving. There are few more irresponsible and dangerous things people can do in everyday life than drink and drive. It was always wrong to give people the mild slap on the wrist of three penalty points for such potentially lethal behaviour, and it is great satisfaction to know that in future people who behave this way will face a disqualification from driving for three months.
He added:
People will be aware that this Act was passed with widespread support in both Houses of the Oireachtas, despite the efforts by a few to delay it by playing irresponsible parliamentary games. They failed, and the Irish public at large will be the winners. Let me be clear – we are not interested in punishing people, what we want is for people to behave responsibly. If they do not, the consequences must be serious, and I think it is overwhelmingly in the public interest that people who drink and drive should face disqualification from driving.
Alcohol consumption amongst road users is still a substantial problem in Ireland. The most up to date statistics indicate it’s a factor in 39% of driver fatalities. The introduction of a three month disqualification for drivers detected with a blood alcohol concentration between 50mg and 80mg sends out a clear signal that drink driving is something that is no longer acceptable or tolerable in our communities. This measure will save lives and prevent injuries. Importantly it will assist in achieving the Government’s road safety strategy target of reducing deaths to 124 or fewer annually by the end of 2020.
Ms. Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said:
Alcohol consumption amongst road users is still a substantial problem in Ireland. The most up to date statistics indicate it’s a factor in 39% of driver fatalities. The introduction of a three month disqualification for drivers detected with a blood alcohol concentration between 50mg and 80mg sends out a clear signal that drink driving is something that is no longer acceptable or tolerable in our communities. This measure will save lives and prevent injuries. Importantly it will assist in achieving the Government’s road safety strategy target of reducing deaths to 124 or fewer annually by the end of 2020.
Ms. Murdock also had a message ahead of the October Bank Holiday Weekend,
With clocks going back this weekend all road users will need to take extra steps when using the roads. The evenings are getting darker earlier so don’t get caught out especially if you are a pedestrian. This means wearing a high visibility jacket and carrying a torch if walking on dark unlit rural roads. 32 pedestrians have been killed on the roads to date this year compared to 26 up to the same period last year. As we head into the winter months, motorists need to be extra vigilant of pedestrians and cyclists due to their exposure to being struck by a vehicle. Give them space and drive at a safe speed when passing.
Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy, Roads Policing Bureau said
An Garda Síochána welcomes this very important change in legislation which will assist us in taking high risk intoxicated drivers off the road and making our roads and our communities safer. This is especially important coming into the October Bank Holiday weekend where Garda members will focus on all intoxicated driving.
Chief Superintendent Murphy continued
It is totally unacceptable to drink or take drugs and drive and any amount of alcohol impairs driving. When someone decides to drink or take drugs and drive they put members of their community at risk. Nobody has the right to do that, so please never ever drink or take drugs and drive.