Anger at laws allowing motorists over drink limit to avoid losing licence

ROAD safety campaigners have expressed outrage at legislation being proposed by the Government which will allow some motorists over the legal drink-driving limit to avoid losing their licence.

The group, PARC, yesterday criticised plans by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to introduce a new graded penalty system for the lower blood-alcohol limit to be introduced next month.

A new Road Traffic Act, which will lower the current blood-alcohol limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg, bringing Ireland in line with most other EU countries, is due to come into effect once new breathalysing equipment has been approved for general use by gardaí.

The lower level will mean that some motorists could find themselves “over the limit” by consuming just one pint of beer.

Under the Government’s plans, gardaí will have powers to issue motorists over the new limit but under the existing one with three penalty points and an on-the-spot fine of €200.

Such a measure will allow offending motorists to avoid the current system when caught above the legal limit of an automatic court appearance and disqualification for one year.

However, while they will avoid a drink-driving conviction, they will be legally obliged to notify their insurance company of the offence when renewing their motor insurance.

They will also only be able to avail of the fixed charge option once every three years.

Motorists with a reading of 80-100mg will be given a €400 fine and disqualified for six months.

PARC spokesperson Ann Fogarty described the proposals as “disgraceful”.

Ms Fogarty said motorists caught over the 50mg limit should be banned from driving if found with that level of alcohol.

“There has to be a clear message that drinking and driving do not go together,” said Ms Fogarty.

PARC claimed the more lenient treatment of motorists caught with blood-alcohol levels between the existing and proposed limits was “all about protecting vested interests”.

The reduced penalties are designed to avoid a major backlash from an expected upsurge in motorists who might get caught driving above the new limit, while they are also an attempt to avoid brining a large number of drivers before the courts.

A spokesperson for Mr Varadkar said the controversial penalties were “proportionate to the new lower drink-driving limit” and he claimed they were an attempt “to ensure that the new regime is not unduly punitive”.

The chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, Noel Brett, said the organisation was “comfortable” with the revised penalty system.