Legislation to shake up drink-driving limits and the penalty points regime was passed last night in the Dáil and is expected to be completed in the Seanad before the summer recess in early July.
Under provisions of the controversial Road Traffic Bill 2009, drivers caught with blood alcohol levels between the new lower alcohol limits and the existing one – between 50 mg and 80 mg - face a €200 fine and three penalty points rather than a driving ban.
The Bill also provides for mandatory alcohol tests following a road crash where someone is injured. Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey ruled out compulsory alcohol tests for all collisions because he said it would not be a good use of Garda time.
The legislation received all party support, although rural TDs criticised elements of the legislation because they favoured urban areas with good public transport services.
Fine Gael TD for Cork South West PJ Sheehan said the legislation would have a serious effect for areas of the country.
He asked the Minister to show a “bit of leniency for people living in Ballydehob. You must remember that in Ballydehob or in Ballsbridge, one is entitled to the same privilege. We have no Luas service in west Cork. Neither have we a CIÉ service every 10 minutes or a taxi service.”
He added that Ireland now had one of the lowest death rates in Europe and “the 80mg limit, when it was imposed correctly by the Garda, has proven results”.
Mr Dempsey said however that “the people of Ballydehob will get the same consideration from me as the people of Balliver, Ballinabrackey and various other 'B' around the country. The reason we are heading towards the lowest death rate in Europe is because we are prepared to put legislation like this in place.”
The Minister agreed with Labour spokesman Tommy Broughan that they would have to “revisit” the issue of people selling goods including newspapers or collecting for charities at busy junctions.
Mr Broughan had asked the Minister to ban such selling. “People walk in between cars when stopped at busy junctions.” He said “the practice of working at junctions can be dangerous for the workers involved. People collect money for charity in this way but often constituents ask me why it is permitted to sell at junctions.”
Mr Dempsey said the obligation for pedestrians to exercise due care was covered in the regulations and he did not want to duplicate it but he said they should “take a good look” at it to clarify the rules.
Mr Broughan said the problem also applied to politicians. “During the most recent election and the previous one, the former taoiseach urged his supporters to canvass at junctions. There is significant territory to be covered and I would appreciate the Minister doing further thinking on the issue.”
Source: Marie O'Halloran and Michael O'Regan, The Irish Times, 24/06/2010
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