Safety measures get tough on novice drivers

A SAFETY crackdown on road users will see double penalty points and an effective zero alcohol limit imposed on a new “restricted” class of novice motorists.

They will be subject to the tough new regime for the first two years after gaining their license, while lower-level alcohol breath testing for all drivers will also come in.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar insisted he was determined to push through the hard-hitting measures in order to force down Ireland’s road death tally further.

Under the plans, a new “R” class of restricted drivers can expect double points for some offences, including careless and dangerous driving, and a drink-drive limit set at effectively zero tolerance at 20mg of alcohol allowed per 100ml of blood — this is intended to allow just enough lee-way to cover substances like cough tonic and other medicines.

Non-restricted drivers will also face a new, lower drink-drive level of 50mg per 100ml, which may see a single pint of beer push a driver over the limit.

Vehicles considered unroadworthy by the authorities will also be liable to be detained and destroyed under the crackdown.

The Road Safety Authority will be put in charge of the driving licence system, and for testing commercial vehicles for roadworthiness, under the reforms which also see the introduction of EU-style plastic card driving licences, and local authorities providing parking and charging bays for electric vehicles.

The sweeping set of draft new laws went before the Oireachtas transport committee as the Minister said members would be given more influence over the final outcome.

“We need to make travelling safer and we must not lose focus. This draft Bill also represents an important step in improving parliamentary democracy. We are breaking new ground with this more consultative approach to developing legislation. I hope this marks the beginning of a positive and constructive relationship with the Oireachtas Committee,” he said.

Oireachtas committee members will have a month to submit their views before the Transport Department draws-up the final legislation to go before the Oireachtas.

Mr Varadkar insisted the measures needed to be tough in order to ensure Irish roads become safer after a spate of high casualty accidents involving young drivers who had been driving for less than two years.

The virtual zero-drink drive level for novice motorists will impose one of the strongest regimes in Europe for inexperienced road users.

Ireland’s road safety record is the sixth best in Europe after a halving in the number of deaths in 10 years.

Deaths per year have halved from 411 in 2001 to 212 last year.