Drug drivers are being targeted over the June bank holiday weekend as gardaí report a 15% rise in arrests for driving 'under the influence' over the first four months of the year, compared to the same period last year.

Drug drivers are the target of the June Bank Holiday road safety campaign.

Here's your lunchtime bulletin.

A new driving series on RTÉ reveals how even legal limits of alcohol can have potentially fatal consequences when motorists get behind the wheel.

One in eight motorists who test positive for drink-driving falls within the limits which, under legislation proposed by Transport Minister Shane Ross, will result in an automatic diving ban in future.

Approximately 11% of drink-driving fatalities happen the morning after a night out.

Breathalyser tests were overestimated by almost one million over a five year period.

A survey has found that 97% of motorists would support new roadside drug testing measures.

Gardaí have been warned that their new roadside drug testing kits may not work when it is cold.

Just over 70 gardaí have been trained in how to use the new roadside drug testing devices, writes Joyce Fegan.

Just over 70 gardaí have been trained in how to use the new roadside drug testing devices.

A blitz on drink and drug driving will be mounted over the Easter weekend under new Garda powers.

TDs have voted to send Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s answers on the phantom breath tests and traffic convictions scandals to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety amid concerns she is giving false information to the Dáil.

Here's your morning bulletin.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has become embroiled in the Garda breath test “cover-up” as she and Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan faced calls to resign their positions in the Dáil.

Gardaí say they cannot give details as to how breath test data was inputted into the Pulse IT system, with a legal firm also stating it is unknown what level of oversight was in place higher up the chain.

As the controversy over the recording of breath tests rumbles on, the gardaí, Department of Justice, and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS), each outlined the timeline of events:

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan seems to have bought herself a stay of execution but confidence is not so high that the force can police itself, writes Cormac O’Keeffe.

The Garda Commissioner has told the Policing Authority that consequences arising from the breath test scandal, including possible disciplinary action, will be considered in the coming weeks.

Road safety bosses have warned there is a “real problem” with young males drinking and driving, as figures show alcohol was involved in almost four out of 10 fatal collisions.

Motorists who have consumed drugs in the week before getting behind the wheel could be convicted under new drug-driving laws — even if they are not under the influence at the time of detection.

The Government has been accused of trying to make employers responsible for drink and drug testing drivers because under-resourced gardaí are struggling to do the job.

New measures are to be introduced to allow for drug testing at all road accidents.

Under a new law, gardaí will soon be able to use handheld devices to test drivers for drugs. The announcement comes as the Road Safety Authority (RSA) marked a day of remembrance for victims of road crashes all across the world yesterday.

As many as 10% of single vehicle road collisions could be suicide attempts, it has been claimed.

Legal authorities have played down fears that a recent court case, which saw a prosecution against a motorist who admitted smoking two joints of cannabis dismissed, could set a precedent for other drug drivers to evade conviction.

Gardaí will have greater powers to tackle drug driving under laws to be unveiled today.

The Government will not meet its target to cull 48 state agencies by the end of the year.

New anti-drug driving measures are expected to be launched today that include a series of roadside tests, such as walking in a straight line and balancing on one leg.

Gardaí have confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the possible microwaving of a urine sample in a drink driving case — so as to get the driver off the hook.

NAMA, the Central Bank and Anglo Irish Bank should come under the scope of the Freedom of Information Act before the end of this year, the Information Commissioner said yesterday.

THE head of the Road Safety Authority has described the potential scale of drug-driving in Ireland as “alarming” as it emerged that 1,444 motorists tested positive for drugs last year.

Almost 1,500 people tested positive for drug driving last year, it was disclosed today.

NEW drink-driving limits will be delayed for at least 18 months it was revealed last night as opposition parties accused Transport Minister Noel Dempsey of presiding over a “fiasco”.

The Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has confirmed that new machines to test for the lower drink drive limit will not be available until 2011.

The Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has confirmed that new machines to test for the lower drink drive limit will not be available until 2011.

New legislation to lower the drink drive limit may be delayed because the new breath testing machines will not be available until 2011.

GARDAÍ are to be given powers to help secure convictions for drug driving under a new Road Traffic Bill to be published shortly.

WE in PARC road safety group welcome the proposals for a new graduated driving licensing system for learner drivers. We also welcome the proposal for zero tolerance of drink driving among learner drivers.

RURAL drivers and young motorists have warned against using harsh road safety proposals to overhaul the provisional driving system.

ROADSIDE drug testing will be introduced in Ireland as soon as a reliable system is available, the Dáil heard yesterday.

A “CONTRITE” Fianna Fáil TD who received a one-year driving ban yesterday for drink driving said he wants to get back to work for his constituents.

AN IRISH company has developed a new hi-tech roadside drug-testing system that could be used to crack down on drug-driving.