Road deaths - Drastic action needed to save lives

The Enterprise and Small Business Committee of the Oireachtas has called on the Government to hold a constitutional referendum to introduce random testing of motorists for substance abuse.

This could lead to drivers being targeted coming out of pub car parks at closing time, but the recommendation highlights the need for drastic action to curb the spiralling deaths on our roads.

It is necessary to get a message across to all people that there is zero tolerance for drink or drug-impaired driving. A constitutional referendum may be necessary to eliminate any confusion that random testing would be an infringement of somebody’s civil rights or liberties, but the real aim would be to protect everybody’s rights.