New breath test powers will save lives, says RSA

NEW mandatory breath testing for motorists involved in traffic collisions, which came into effect yesterday, will help save lives and prevent serious injuries, according to the Road Safety Authority.

The new power to allow gardaí conduct breath tests for alcohol on all drivers involved in road accidents comes as Transport Minister Leo Varadkar revealed that an expansion of the penalty points system to cover more road traffic offences is also under consideration.

The RSA yesterday welcomed the new power conferred on gardaí, which it described as “life-saving legislation”.

“This measure is another very important step towards removing the scourge of drink driving from our roads,” said RSA chief executive officer Noel Brett.

Combined with the planned introduction of a lower, drink-driving limit later this year, Mr Brett said mandatory breath testing of motorists involved in accidents would save many lives and prevent many serious injuries.

He also praised the public’s support for such measures, which he claimed had been demonstrated by a profound change in people’s attitudes and behaviour towards drink driving over the past decade.

The minister confirmed that the new Road Traffic Act 2011 confers powers on gardaí to conduct preliminary breath tests for the presence of alcohol at the scene of road traffic collisions. Mr Varadkar said he was also considering further legislation to possibly double penalty points for learner and novice drivers found guilty of high-risk driving offences as part of a further development of the Graduated Driver Licensing System.

Another option being explored is the requirement for all novice drivers who have recently passed a driving test to display “R” plates on their vehicles.

Mr Varadkar said additional measures being considered include the roll-out of more penalty point offences and expanding the range of sentencing options for driving offences. The RSA is also examining the introduction of a hazard perception test as part of the standard driving test.

So far this year, a total of 77 have been killed on roads in the Republic — a decrease of 11 over the corresponding period in 2010.