Vintners ‘trying to water down drink-driving law’

Vinters have been criticised for lobbying to "water down" legislation that will reduce the drink-driving limit.

The legislation, which will see the blood-alcohol concentration limit lowered from 80mg per 100ml to 50mg, has gone to the Seanad for approval after being passed by the Dáil.

It is expected to become law within the next two weeks, and has been hailed as another significant step in the campaign to reduce road deaths.

But Labour TD Tommy Broughan has criticised vintners for seeking to water down the legislation.

He said there had been "intense lobbying" by vintners around Leinster House on Wednesday as the legislation was being pushed through the Dáil.

"This is not acceptable, given the fact that since 1960 we have lost 20,000 people through road deaths, and so many families have been damaged," he said.

"The research clearly shows that alcohol was a factor in almost 40% of these collisions," he added.

But Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, which represents publicans outside the Dublin area, described the reduced limit as a "PR stunt" that would not save lives. The bill would act as "a further nail in the coffin of rural pubs", he added.

"The Transport Minister has under-funded cameras for the last five years. He continues to under-fund cameras in a situation where speed is the number-one killer on the road," Mr Cribben told RTÉ.

"We as a federation do not condone drunk-driving. We would not, if we believed that this would save one life, be against it.

"All this will do is actually criminalise people who have one glass of wine with a meal or one pint on the way home."

But the Road Safety Authority insisted the limits would save lives.

Once passed, the legislation will:

nLower the drink-driving limit from 80mg to 50mg for experienced drivers.

nLower the limit from 80mg to 20mg for learner, recently qualified and professional drivers (such as taxi drivers and hauliers).

nProvide for mandatory breath-testing at the scene of accidents.

nEnsure that penalty points and bans can be applied to foreign driving licences.

The legislation will allow offenders marginally above the new limits to avoid prosecution in court, provided they haven’t been caught drink-driving in the previous five years.

In such instances, learner, novice and professional drivers who breach their 20mg limit but who are below 80mg will receive a three-month driving ban and a fine of €200.

It was originally intended experienced drivers who marginally breached their limit would also receive a three-month ban. But Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, who brought forward the legislation, softened the proposed punishment some months ago following a FF backbenchers’ revolt, who threatened to vote against the bill.

It means that experienced drivers who breach their 50mg limit but who are below 80mg will now receive a €200 fine and three penalty points, rather than a ban.

Source: Paul O’Brien, The Irish Times, 25/06/2010