Brennan unveils breath test plan

APPROXIMATELY 120 people died last year in drink-related road crashes, the Transport Minister said yesterday as he unveiled plans to introduce random breath testing next year.

Seamus Brennan and Justice Minister Michael McDowell will move to close loopholes that could be exploited legally before giving gardaí the go-ahead to randomly test drivers.

The minister said gardaí will, from December 1, be handed the power to test drivers who commit minor traffic violations, from failing to indicate to having a broken tail light.