Legislation that will see drink drivers immediately disqualified approved by cabinet

It has been confirmed that new drink-driving legislation will see drivers caught over the legal limit will face an immediate three month disqualification instead of three penalty points.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross has welcomed the decision, and he now hopes the bill can be passed quickly into law.

Speaking yesterday Minister Ross said: “The evidence shows that despite a perception to the contrary, drink driving continues to be a very serious issue in this country. We can no longer be ambivalent in our attitude toward this destructive practice.”

Research conducted by the Road Safety Authority cites alcohol as a contributory factor in 38% of fatal collisions in the four year period examined. 

Furthermore, An Garda Siochana’s recent Drink Driving Campaign which took place over six weeks in December of 2016 and into the New Year, resulted in 961 arrests for drink driving. 

This is a 35% increase in arrests on the same period in 2015. 

The Minister said: “What I am now proposing is that the existing provision allowing people to get penalty points rather than a disqualification for drink driving sends the wrong message and should go. 

“Instead of three penalty points, such drivers will get a three-month disqualification. This is quite proportionate. 

“Drink driving is serious, and potentially fatal. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair people’s reactions, and that cannot be tolerated when people are behind the wheel of a car.”  

The Minister hopes that this Bill can be passed quickly and without amendment. 

Minister Ross added: “It is important to get it out there and working, and with it the message that drink driving will no longer be without serious consequences.

“This is an important step on the road to enacting what will be a focused, timely and urgently needed piece of legislation which will ultimately save lives.”