Dempsey defends drink-drive limits

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said he would have preferred tougher drink-driving legislation but said the “greater good” had been served by reducing the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit from 80mg to 50mg.

Mr Dempsey was speaking in Dublin today after meeting with the North's Minister for Transport Conor Murphy and Minister for Regional Development Edwin Poots as part of the North South Ministerial Council.

Last week, Mr Dempsey admitted to "watering down" the Road Traffic Bill 2009 with his decision that drivers caught with a BAC of between 50mg and 80mg would receive three rather than six penalty points and a €200 fine if they did not challenge the conviction in court.

"I'd prefer if it was six points, I'd prefer if it was disqualification, I've no hesitation in saying that but…a reasonable case was made that three points is a chance, it's a yellow card but after that it's a red card and there's no mercy shown," he said.

"Yes I'd like to have seen more severe penalties but the greater aim and the greater good is being achieved by reducing the limit from 80 to 50 and whatever it took."

Mr Dempsey said the legislation would be kept under review. "But I probably won't be around long enough to change it again," he added.

Mr Dempsey was critical of motorists who write and send text messages on their mobile phones while driving. "Texting while driving is stupid, really stupid. It would constitute in my mind anyway dangerous driving which carries fairly severe penalties including jail."