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06/11/2009
Equipment Delays Drink Driving Changes
The recently proposed new drink-driving limit can not be introduced until 2011, as it emerged all breathalysers must be replaced.
A spokesman from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety confirmed today the breath-testing machines used by Gardai cannot be recalibrated to the new limits and will have to be replaced.
Speaking on the RTÉ Morning Ireland radio programme this morning, the Bureau's Denis Cusack said it would have taken eight to nine months to recalibrate the old breathalysers.
The new Road Traffic Bill published on 30 October reduced the blood alcohol limit from its current level of 80mg/100ml to 20mg/100ml for learner, novice and professional drivers, and to 50mg/100ml for other drivers.
Breath testing will also become mandatory at the scenes of crashes.
Those whose blood-alcohol level falls between the old and new limits will be given three penalty points rather than an automatic disqualification.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey was informed of the Bureau’s position last night and it is understood the new equipment will cost an estimated €800,000.
(DW/KMcA)
A spokesman from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety confirmed today the breath-testing machines used by Gardai cannot be recalibrated to the new limits and will have to be replaced.
Speaking on the RTÉ Morning Ireland radio programme this morning, the Bureau's Denis Cusack said it would have taken eight to nine months to recalibrate the old breathalysers.
The new Road Traffic Bill published on 30 October reduced the blood alcohol limit from its current level of 80mg/100ml to 20mg/100ml for learner, novice and professional drivers, and to 50mg/100ml for other drivers.
Breath testing will also become mandatory at the scenes of crashes.
Those whose blood-alcohol level falls between the old and new limits will be given three penalty points rather than an automatic disqualification.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey was informed of the Bureau’s position last night and it is understood the new equipment will cost an estimated €800,000.
(DW/KMcA)
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