Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2008
12 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport when he will bring forward legislation to Cabinet to lower the blood alcohol limit to 50 m/g; if he is considering plans to lower the blood alcohol level for drivers on a learner permit to 20 m/g; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17312/08]
View answer27 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to lower the legal blood alcohol level for drivers as has been recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17466/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 27 together.
The Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012, approved by the Government in October 2007, identifies the need to legislate for and introduce a reduction in the legal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) for drivers, but does not specify what that level should be.
In determining what the BAC limit should be reduced to, the advice of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was sought. The RSA's recommendations have been received and the Government, in noting the contents of the Authority's report at last week's Cabinet meeting, agreed that the RSA's report be published and taken into account in preparing new road traffic legislation this year.
The issue of lowering the BAC limits will now move into the work underway to prepare the Heads of a Road Traffic Bill, which also includes the issue of appropriate penalties for drink driving and other road traffic offences. I hope to bring the Heads of the Bill to Government this Summer.
13 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce changes to the penalty points system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17536/08]
View answerThe penalty points system provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2002 has been kept under review to identify changes that would enhance both road safety and the effective enforcement of road traffic legislation. To that end a range of changes to the system were provided for in the Road Traffic Acts of 2004 and of 2006.
The penalty point system applies in respect of 36 offences at present. The extension of the system to the remainder of the offences that are scheduled in the Road Traffic Acts as potential penalty point offences will proceed in due course. Those offences relate primarily to vehicles and their use, lighting of vehicles and the licensing of drivers.
The penalty points system will continue to be kept under review to respond, in particular, to any proposals for revision that may emerge in connection with the implementation of the various actions in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012.
