New law sees fewer tests for drink driving

Gardaí tested 70,000 fewer motorists for drink-driving offences last year, despite an overall increase in the number of checkpoints.

Figures compiled by An Garda Síochána indicate that new drink-driving legislation, which has created different limits depending on the type of licence a driver holds, is having a negative impact on the number of motorists tested for driving above legal blood-alcohol limits.

Official Garda figures show there was a 13% reduction in the number of mandatory alcohol tests conducted on motorists in 2012 — down just over 70,000 to 469,102.