Cullen vows to get tough on speed and drink driving

GARDAÍ are to carry out more than 11 million speed checks a year and will have the power to randomly breath-test motorists.

He yesterday received Cabinet approval for a road safety bill which includes increased fines and disqualification periods for major offences.

Under the proposed legislation, random breath-testing will be known as Mandatory Alcohol Testing [MAT]. Gardaí will have the power to stop motorists at any time and, unlike now, will no longer have to first form a suspicion that the driver has been drinking.