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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 1

Written Answers. - Road Safety.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

189 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether alcohol breath testing of drivers involved in fatal road accidents should be compulsory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25532/99]

The road traffic Acts at present provide for preliminary roadside breath screening, or breathalysing, of a driver where a garda is of the opinion that the driver has consumed intoxicating liquor. I am considering, as part of the preparation of a new Road Traffic Bill and in accordance with the Government strategy for road safety 1998 to 2002, the possibility of a change in this legal requirement to provide for the selective application of random breath testing or screening of drivers. One variant of this could be for drivers involved in accidents to be subject to automatic testing for alcohol.

In the meantime, the taking of breath speci mens for evidential purposes, already provided for in the Road Traffic Act, 1994 and identified as a measure for action in the strategy, commenced in Garda stations at Pearse Street, Dublin and in Castlebar last month. The system will be progressively extended nationwide.
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