Drink-driving – Defects in law must be put right

The decision by District Judge Michael Pattwell to dismiss 80 cases of drink-driving undoubtedly resulted in as many happy defendants, but it also pointed to a serious defect in the legislation.

The occasion also underlined the fact that there are still too many drivers who are more than willing to mindlessly flout the drink-driving laws.

Apart from those who escaped the possible consequences had they been found guilty, there are more than 2,000 drink-driving cases in the district court system awaiting the outcome of a number of legal challenges to the intoximeter.