Drink driving system ‘getting a lot stricter’

TRANSPORT Minister Leo Varadkar has rejected claims that a penalty points system introduced as part of a new crackdown on drink driving is a soft touch.

The new regime, in force from midnight tonight, will give authorities a sliding scale to deal with offenders instead of mandatory court appearances.

Mr Varadkar dismissed accusations that removing the automatic driving ban for first time lawbreakers was too lenient.