Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Driving Offences.

Pat Carey

Question:

370 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of successful prosecutions which have been brought against motorists who have been under the influence of intoxicants, other than alcohol, for each of the years from 1990 to date in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21029/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 428 together.

Section 49 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (as substituted by section 10 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994) provides that "a person shall not drive or attempt to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place while he is under the influence of an intoxicant to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle". Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, as amended provides that an "intoxicant" includes "alcohol and drugs, and any combination of drugs or of drugs and alcohol." There have been successful prosecutions under section 49 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1996 (as amended) for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. However, statistics are not compiled in such a way as to distinguish between cases of driving under the influence of intoxicants other than alcohol, and alcohol. This information could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources.

I wish to assure the Deputies that in the ongoing campaigns carried out by the gardaí in enforcing the Road Traffic Acts, the gardaí give high priority to the offence of driving under the influence of intoxicants, including drugs, as part of their road safety strategy to dissuade drivers from engaging in this anti-social activity.