Government receives petition calling for drink and drugs test for drivers

A 20,000-strong petition calling for the testing of drivers for drink and drugs to lower road deaths was delivered to the Government yesterday.

Susan Grey, whose husband was among the many people killed on the roads in the Inishowen area of Co Donegal, and anti-drug campaigner, PJ Blake, gathered the signatures in a bid to ensure drivers are tested for drink and drugs.

Mr Blake said: “We are looking for the compulsory testing for drink and drugs at the scene of accidents, as well as random testing.”

Mrs Grey gave over 5,000 signatures to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern when he paid a visit to Donegal last month. The petition was also forwarded to the chairman of the Road Safety Authority Gay Byrne and they are awaiting a response.

Mr Blake, a former councillor in Letterkenny, said police in the North test for drugs in road collisions and have found a 34% increase in drug driving in 2004/2005.

“I tried to get figures for the South and was unsuccessful as it is not done. If there is a 34% increase in the six counties what must it be like in the rest of Ireland.”

The campaigner said he was fully confident the testing would have an effect on lowering the numbers of people killed on the roads.

“The tragedy we have had in Donegal over the last two years is ridiculous,” he said.

Mr Blake said he had spoken to TDs and ministers including Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher who were supportive of their campaign.

“Obviously we are hoping they can’t ignore 20,000 signatures,” he said.

The call for action against drug-driving comes ahead of a study on cannabis due to be published by the Oireachtas committee on community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs.

Research commissioned by an Oireachtas committee has found that 300,000 young Irish people are regular users of cannabis.