New garda powers on breath tests take effect today
Up to now, gardaí had to form an opinion that a driver had consumed alcohol, which meant, in reality, that he or she was incapable of driving, never mind driving in a safe manner.
The increased powers follow an amendment to the Road Traffic Act 2002 and are a step closer to random breath tests that will be introduced next year.
Of the 11,200 drink-driving detections last year, about 90% of blood and urine specimens and 81% of breath specimens analysed were above the legal limit.
More than half of those who failed blood or urine tests and almost a third of those who failed evidential breath tests, had alcohol contents twice the legal limit.
Transport Minister Séamus Brennan, who signed the commencement order extending the basis on which gardaí can request a breath sample from drivers, said it was part of a determined effort to combat drink-driving.
The introduction of the powers also coincides with the pre-Christmas anti-drink driving campaign.
Under the new powers, gardaí can request a preliminary roadside breath test once they form the opinion that he or she has committed a road traffic offence or has been involved in a collision.
Mr Brennan said that while the overall position in relation to road safety had improved, particularly since the introduction of penalty points, the position of drink-driving remained unacceptable.
So far this year, 318 people have been killed on the roads, compared to 353 during 2002.
Mr Brennan said international research showed that alcohol was a factor in up to 40% of road accidents, while estimates in Ireland suggest that it was a factor in 33% of fatal accidents.
National Safety Council chairperson Eddie Shaw, who yesterday announced a €10,000 prize fund for the Irish Road Safety Endeavour Awards, said full random breath-testing would start in the second half of 2004.
With an estimated 1.5 motorists in Ireland, one in three drivers could be targeted for the tests by gardaí.
Mr Shaw said they welcomed the unprecedented crackdown on drink-driving.
“It has to be cracked here. Drink-driving is far too high a contributor to death and injury,” he said.
Meanwhile, Operation Freeflow begins in Dublin today, backed up with additional crime prevention measures.
The plan is to keep traffic moving and to target drink-drivers and other offenders in the build-up to Christmas.
Garda resources provided exclusively for the operation include 201 foot patrols, 50 motorcycles and eight
More information on the Irish Road Safety Endeavour Awards 2004, first introduced three years ago to recognise individuals and groups doing their bit for road safety, is available at www.nscawards.ie or by phoning the council on locall 1890 200 844.
