Gardaí to begin random breath-testing of drivers near pubs

WIDESPREAD random breath-testing of motorists is still some way off but gardaí are immediately beginning a more limited form of testing in the vicinity of pubs.

After encountering significant legal obstacles, the Department of Transport is still drafting the legislation which would allow random breath-testing.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen is hopeful the proposed legislation will be put before the Dáil in the coming months and passed before the summer recess. The legislation would allow gardaí test randomly at peak periods for drink driving, such as late at night and on weekends, a spokesman for the minister said yesterday.