Govt gives green light on roadside breath tests
Roadside breath testing, private speed cameras and a ban on motorists using mobile phones today all received the green light by the Government.
The Road Traffic Bill 2006 was approved by the Taoiseach and his ministers at this afternoon’s weekly Cabinet meeting.
A spokesperson for Transport Minister Martin Cullen said afterwards: “The minister is pleased at the Government’s endorsement of the Bill.
“Details will be published before the weekend.”
Mr Cullen today appealed to motorists to drive with extra care over the summer months, especially during July – statistically the most dangerous month.
Launching the Summer Road Safety ’Arrive Alive’ campaign, the minister said an average of 100 people die on the roads during June, July and August.
“Untimely death as a result of a road collision is always tragic. So far this year 166 people have lost their lives on our roads. The need for care when driving is a constant reality. Nearly nine out of every 10 road collisions are a direct result of the behaviour of road users. In many instances that behaviour is affected by the fact that drivers consume alcohol.
“July is statistically the worst month of the year for road fatalities with an average monthly fatality rate of 39.
Almost four out of every 10 deaths during the summer occur in July.”
Drink driving continues to be a major contributory factor to road fatalities.”
Last year, 4,140 people were convicted of drink driving offences, an increase of 30% on 2004.
Minister Cullen acknowledged the efforts made by the gardai and road safety bodies in making our roads safer and strengthening the fight against drink driving.
“Ultimately however, it is a matter for individual road users to act responsibly on our roads and to take responsible decisions.
“Many road users are doing this; the most recent research findings show that people’s attitudes towards the acceptability of drinking and driving is changing.
“The fact that 49% of people now say that any amount of alcohol will affect one’s driving compared with 30% six years ago shows that people are realising the lethal potential of drinking and driving.
“Today, as we face into summer holiday time, I am making a particular appeal to all drivers not to drive after you have consumed alcohol.
“Even one alcoholic drink should be avoided if you are going to drive as it will impair your driving ability and judgement with potentially tragic consequences“, the minister concluded.
