Dempsey reduces penalties for new drink drive limits

The Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has responded to backbench pressure and reduced the proposed penalties for drivers caught under a new, lower drink drive limit.

The new penalties are contained within the Road Traffic Bill published today by the Minister.

It provides for a reduction from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 20mg for learner, novice and professional drivers and a cut from 80mg to 50mg for other drivers.

Mr Dempsey had previously indicated drivers caught with a blood alcohol limit of between 50mg and 80mg would receive six penalty points and a fine.

However, Mr Dempsey faced fierce opposition to this plan from over 20 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators while Independent TDs such as Jackie Healy Rae said they would vote against the Government on the matter.

In the legislation published today the penalties for drivers caught with a blood alcohol limit of between 50mg and 80mg has been reduced to three penalty points and a €200 fine, if they do not challenge the conviction in court.

It is the first time the State has had a penalty for drink driving that does not include a driving ban.

Those with BAC of between 80 and 100mg will be disqualified for six months and receive a €400 fine if they do not challenge.

Learners, recently-qualified and professional drivers found to have a BAC of between 20 and 80mg will be disqualified for three months and receive a €200 fine.

In the event of a court appearance and conviction, drivers found with BACs of less than 80mg will be disqualified for six months for a first offence and for one year on a subsequent offence.

The Bill also provides for the introduction of impairment testing to help gardaí determine whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In addition, it seeks to enable penalty points and disqualifications to be applied to non-national driving licences and to give gardaí powers to seize a licence where the driver has been disqualified or where the licence has been fraudulently obtained or is forged or altered.

Mr Dempsey said he believed the new measures would be supported by his whole party would support the measures.

"I've discussed the matter with the backbenchers, they've made their views known," he said. "This is my response to that. This is Government legislation and I'm sure everyone will support it."

He also said he was not worried about the possible effect on rural Ireland. "I'm not concerned. If rural Ireland is dependent on us allowing people to get into a car with an excess of alcohol in their blood, put themselves or other road users in danger then rural Ireland has come to a sorry state," he said. "I don't believe it's in that state. I believe that the issue of rural isolation is one that can be addressed, but not by allowing that to happen."

Road safety group Parc welcomed the publication of the Bill and called for politicians from all parties to support it.

Fine Gael's road safety spokesman Shane McEntee said the Bill contained many measures his party has been seeking for years.

"Many lives could have been saved long before now if this measure had been introduced at an earlier date," he said. "We need a Government which not only introduces essential legislation, but one which enforces it. However, the issue of rural isolation also needs to be urgently addressed, particularly as the rural transport scheme will soon be scrapped and has only been extended on a temporary basis. The end of this scheme will put more pedestrian lives at risk."