MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey has said rural Ireland would have come to “a sorry state” if it were dependent on tolerating drink-driving – and he was confident this was not the case.
Speaking after the publication of the Road Traffic Bill 2009, the Minister told reporters that, based on the evidence, he was “absolutely” convinced the proposed legislation would save lives and reduce injuries on the roads.
Mr Dempsey said his decision that three penalty points would apply for a first offence in relation to the new blood alcohol limit was an attempt “to accommodate the view that people shouldn’t be put off the road for that first offence”.
Responding to the argument that the legislation would make for a greater level of rural isolation, he said: “If rural Ireland is dependent on us allowing people to get into a car with an excess of alcohol in their blood, put themselves or other road-users in danger, then rural Ireland has come to a sorry state.
“I don’t believe it is in that state. I believe that the issue of rural isolation is one that can be addressed, but not by allowing that to happen – there are other ways and means. Some of that I have in my own control – I have been very strong in supporting expanding rural transport.”
Expressing confidence that the Bill would meet the concerns of his party colleagues, he said: “I am sure that the vast majority of backbenchers will accept that this is a reasonable response to the concerns that they raised. I can’t speak for all of them.”
Asked when the legislation would be enacted, he said: “I would expect that we would have it through the House certainly by the summer session of next year, and then the procedure for implementing it will take place.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, speaking in Brussels, welcomed publication of the Bill. The package represented a “balanced” proposal which met the requirements of the situation. Asked whether he was confident that the Bill would pass muster with Fianna Fáil backbenchers, he said: “I’m confident that this reflects a balanced outcome from all the discussions that we’ve had.”
The Road Safety Authority said last night its priority was reducing the drink-drive limit from its current level of 80mg to 50mg.
Chief executive Noel Brett said it was unfortunate some people remained intent on putting out “incorrect information, inaccurate data and simply untrue statements” about drink-driving.
A member of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM), Cathal O’Donnell, said it was not uncommon to see drivers with a blood alcohol level of between 50mg and 80mg in AE units at weekends.
Susan Gray, founder of road safety group Parc, called for politicians from all parties to support the Bill to ensure it passed through the Oireachtas quickly.
Parc had called for the mandatory testing of all drivers involved in a collision.
It expressed concern that by restricting testing to crashes where injuries occurred, drivers might suppress or try to hide injuries to avoid being tested.
