THE NORTH’S DUP environment minister Edwin Poots is considering whether the drink-driving limit in Northern Ireland should be reduced to the same level as proposed in the Republic – to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – from the current UK level of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, which is also the current level in the South.
There has been tic-tacking on the issue between the department of environment in the North and the Department of Transport in the South, with officials from the two meeting “to discuss road safety issues, including drink-driving”, according to a spokeswoman for the North’s environment department.
In April, the previous DUP environment minister Sammy Wilson issued a consultation paper on the drink-driving limit in Northern Ireland. “This consultation sought views on a range of proposed measures aimed at deterring people from drinking and driving, including reducing the limit from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml,” added the spokeswoman.
The issue of harmonising drink-driving limits and the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications was also raised during the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Farmleigh in July.
In the Northern Assembly earlier this year, DUP Assembly member Alastair Ross said he would welcome a reduction of the limit to 50mg as a “first step” and even consider lower limits for novice drivers. “While Northern Ireland is pioneering changes in the drink-drive limit, it is important that authorities in the Irish Republic and Great Britain follow suit to avoid any confusion, particularly in Border areas,” he said.
At Stormont in June last year, Mr Dempsey, Mr Wilson and the British road safety minister Jim Fitzpatrick agreed a new protocol whereby drivers disqualified in one jurisdiction will be automatically disqualified throughout Britain and Ireland. The North’s environment spokeswoman said Britain and Ireland would soon be in a position to enable the “mutual recognition of driving disqualifications” and that this would apply from “early 2010”.
The Dáil, Assembly and Westminster ministers agreed to work on an agreement where penalty points in one jurisdiction would apply in Britain and Ireland.
WHAT DEMPSEY IS PROPOSING
- A reduction in the legal limit of blood alcohol content (BAC) levels for motorists from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood, and to 20mg for inexperienced and professional drivers.
- Mandatory breath testing to take place at the scene of all road incidents.
- A new penalty regime for drink-driving offences: motorists with a BAC of between 50 and 80mg to receive six penalty points and a €200 fine on a first offence, if they do not challenge in court.
- Drivers with a BAC of between 80 and 100mg to be disqualified for six months and receive a €400 fine if they do not challenge.
- Learners, recently-qualified and professional motorists found to have a BAC of between 20 and 80mg to be disqualified for three months and receive a €200 fine.
- In the event of a court appearance and conviction, drivers with a BAC of less than 80mg to be disqualified for six months for a first offence and for one year on a subsequent offence.
- For those with a BAC of 80 to 100mg, disqualification for one year on a first offence and two years on a subsequent offence.
- All drink-driving laws to be consolidated in one section of the Bill, and the same for penalty points.
MARY MINIHAN