I am informed by the Garda Authorities that instructions are issued to all gardaí concerning road traffic accident cases. The decision as to the appropriate action and manner of the investigation to be taken by the gardaí in a particular case depends on the circumstances surrounding that accident.
The fact that a motor vehicle is in collision with a pedestrian is not in itself an offence. The garda will collect all evidence and take statements from witnesses in order to complete the Garda file for the information of the DPP who, in turn, will issue his directions in regard to the question of prosecutions. The motorist may or may not be arrested at the scene, again depending on the circumstances and the evidence available at the time. If a person is not arrested, he may or may not be interviewed at the local Garda station.
He may go there by appointment but there is no obligation on him to do so. The question of urine or blood samples does not arise unless the investigating garda has arrested him for drunken driving in which case the arrested person is obliged to provide a urine sample or have a blood sample taken from him.