The IMO called for the random testing of drivers for alcohol and other mood-altering drugs at its annual conference in Killarney this weekend in a motion proposed by the organisation's immediate past president, Dr Fen ton Howell.
The conference heard criticisms of the system, which did not allow gardai to make random checks of motorists.
Dr Declan Bedford, a specialist in public health medicine in the North-Eastern Health Board, told The Irish Times that 25 per cent of road accidents have alcohol as a causative factor.
"Random testing is the next step forward in tackling the problem of drink-drivers," he said.
Referring to "drug-driving", he noted the increase in cannabis and ecstasy use in the population as a whole and said we would be naive to assume that people are not driving while under the influence of mood-altering drugs.
Delegates overwhelmingly supported a proposal to include such substances in a new system of random road checks.
The Public Health Doctors Committee of the IMO was mandated to request the GAA to seek sponsorship for the All-Ireland Hurling Championship from a company other than one associated with alcohol.
Delegates expressed concern about the effects alcohol sponsorship could have on young GAA players.
The conference also called for the abolition of all advertisements for alcohol in cinemas other than when a film with an 18-plus certificate is showing.