The National Safety Council has welcomed Government plans for the introduction of an on-the-spot disqualification system for drink-drivers. Liam Reid
The new measure, which will provide some drivers with the opportunity of avoiding a court case, is being introduced to avoid congestion in the courts with the introduction of random breath-testing later this year.
Mr Pat Costello, chief executive of the NSC, said alcohol was a factor in 40 per cent of all road deaths, and he expected random breath-testing would have a major impact on reducing drink-driving.
Under the proposals, which were agreed by the Cabinet last week, drivers caught slightly over the limit will be offered an on-the-spot fine and a six-month disqualification from driving. Names of drivers will be published in Iris Oifigiúil, the official Government publication.
Alternatively, they can opt for a full District Court hearing, where they face disqualification for up to two years.
Such an administrative penalty system is in operation in many European countries.
Drivers found with levels of alcohol significantly over the limit will have to go to court.
The proposals have yet to be finalised, but it is understood that the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, favours allowing those with alcohol levels below 100 milligrams per litre the "on-the-spot" option. This is just 25 per cent above the legal limit of 80mg/litre.
The system will be introduced in July under new road traffic legislation, which will include new powers for gardaí to conduct random breath-testing. At present gardaí must form the opinion that a driver has been drinking.
Currently some 12,000 breath tests are carried out each year. Garda authorities plan to increase this to 450,000 a year over the next three years.
A spokesman for Mr Brennan said the Government was confident the new system would not face any legal difficulty, as people could still choose to go to court.
Welcoming the new initiative, Mr Costello described it as "a very significant, positive development". He said there was no safe level of alcohol consumption for drivers, and the NSC's advice was to never drink and drive.
He was also confident that the Garda authorities had sufficient resources to implement the new system. The outsourcing of speed cameras to a private firm would free up considerable resources.
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the independent body tasked with approving and recommending breathalyser equipment, has also submitted a plan for the roll-out of new electronic equipment as part of the plans for random breath-testing.
