Stringent new measures aimed at reducing the number of people killed and injured on the roads are to be introduced shortly. During an all-day Cabinet meeting yesterday, Ministers approved the recommendations of the High Level Group on Road Safety which include a penalty-points system for certain offences, random testing of drivers for alcohol consumption and greater enforcement of speed limits.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, later confirmed his approval for the measures, saying it was important to implement the recommendations as soon as possible. However, some of the suggestions, including the introduction of random testing, would require legislation which cannot be introduced until the autumn.
A total of 472 people died on roads in the Republic last year and a further 13,000 were injured. Up to Friday last 237 people had been killed this year.
The report focused on two elements blamed for most of the fatalities and injuries, drink-driving and speeding.
Under the proposed penalty measures, drivers would be penalised by accruing points for breaking the speed limit, not wearing seat belts and failing to observe traffic lights and directions. Following accumulation of a certain number of points, they would lose their licence.
However, the most rigorous regulations would apply to drink-driving with the introduction of arbitrary Garda breath-testing. It is also recommended that provision should be made for evidential breath-tests for drink-driving to replace the current system of urine and blood testing.
In the State, a garda must have formed an opinion that a driver is under the influence of alcohol before testing and a breath test has to be confirmed by a subsequent examination of a blood or urine sample. The latest recommendations would mean the results of the breath test could be produced as evidence in a prosecution.
Welcoming the introduction of a penalty-points system, the Labour Party spokesman on justice, Mr Pat Upton, said the move would go some way towards reducing the unacceptably high number of road deaths in Ireland. But it should come as part of an overall package aimed not only at reducing dangerous driving but reducing the number of pedestrians and drivers who still insist they can travel after consuming large amounts of drink.
"The message that dangerous driving will not be tolerated must be loud and clear. At the moment, advertisements against dangerous driving only seem to come out at bank holiday weekends or at Christmas. Human slaughter on Irish roads must be tackled through a quality publicity and education programme that is visible and sustained," Mr Upton added.
The report will be launched by the Taoiseach, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, and his Minister of State, Mr Robert Molloy, in Government Buildings on Friday.