Taxi drivers and learners may face stiff drink drive limits

Learner drivers and taxi drivers could be hit with stricter drink-driving limits in new legislation, the Dáil heard today.

Pressure is on the Government to drop the the current general level for all motorists from 80mg per 100ml of blood to 50mg.

However the limits for learner drivers, taxi drivers and truckers could fall to 20mg.

The Road Traffic and Transport Bill, which contains the provisions, is expected be published in early 2009.

The draft Bill has already been passed by the Cabinet.

“The Road Safety Authority advice to us was that the limit should be brought down to 50 for all drivers, to 20 for learner drivers or professional drivers,” junior transport minister Noel Ahern told the Dáil.

“Those items are being considered and we await the final outcome.

“There will be further discussion on the detail.”

The proposed new limits will require the recalibration or replacement of roadside breathalysers and analysis machines in garda stations by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety

Opposition transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd cited research that claimed drivers are up to ten times more likely to die with blood alcohol levels between 50-79mg than compared to zero levels.

The Co Louth TD also added that recent EU-wide surveys showed truck drivers had excessive levels of alcohol.

He called for measures to be considered such as an 'alcohol lock' which immobilises a car if sensors detect a smell of drink from the motorist.

Mr Ahern said that experts agree that there is no safe driving limit with alcohol.