Cabinet to discuss tougher drink driving limits

Proposals to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers are to be brought before Cabinet within a matter of weeks.

The proposals, which have been drawn up by the Road Safety Authority, recommend a reduction from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams.

The Minister for Transport has indicated that he wants to see the proposals debated by the current Cabinet before May 6.

If the RSA proposals get Cabinet approval they could be implemented early next year.

The plan will also see novice drivers being over the limit if they have more than 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

At the moment, only Ireland and the UK have an 80 milligram limit - the majority of other European countries have tougher drink driving laws, and countries like Germany and Romania have zero limit policies.