Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill before the House and welcome the opportunity to speak on it. It will add much needed clarity to road traffic law and bring Ireland's regulation of drinking and driving in line with the vast majority of countries in the EU and the developed world. It clarifies outstanding elements of the Road Traffic Act 2010, which allows for mandatory testing of alcohol at lower limits. The equipment needed to record lower blood-alcohol levels was not in place when the 2010 Act was introduced but it has since become available to the Garda.

The Bill enables the policy decisions already taken under the Road Traffic Acts 2010 to 2011. Under the previous legislation, mandatory testing was for higher levels of blood-alcohol but the Bill provides for lower thresholds. It will allow gardaí to administer tests in cases where they have good reason to suspect that a driver has consumed alcohol having been involved in a collision in which someone has died or incurred an injury requiring medical attention. This is a welcome development.

There is considerable evidence to demonstrate that even low levels of alcohol consumption can seriously affect an individual's ability to drive safely. That road fatalities have dropped substantially here as a result of lower acceptable alcohol limits lends further support to this argument. The decrease in fatalities is due in no small part to the Road Traffic Act 2006, which reduced the acceptable amount of blood-alcohol in drivers from 100 mg to 80 mg. In 1998, 448 people were killed on our roads but that figure had dropped to 299 by 2006. While this was partly due to road safety campaigns and increased vigilance over road speeds, reduced alcohol levels also played an important part.

Drink driving is an emotive subject for many people on this island. Many families and communities have been devastated by the tragic loss of young and old alike. Drivers need to be aware of the danger involved in getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In October 2011, the Road Safety Authority held a conference on the effect of drugs on driving. Much of the evidence presented at the conference came from Canada but we can identify a number of similarities with that country's experience of drink driving and drug driving. The Canadian research indicated that drug driving mainly occurs at weekends. Between 2000 and 2007, drug driving was found to be a contributory factor in one third of driver deaths. While there is an absence of empirical evidence from Ireland, I suspect we will record similar results. I urge the Minister to strengthen the legislation on drug driving and bring clarity on the drug driving testing methods open to the Garda.

As a rural Deputy from Cork North-West I am acutely aware of the impact the further reduction in blood-alcohol limits will have on those who enjoy driving to their local pubs for a pint or two. The limits create difficulties for those who do not have access to public transport or alternative options for travelling to their local pubs, which are in many cases their only social outlets. I recognise the impact the Bill will have on their socialising habits but there is no easy answer. I ask the Minister to look favourably on the communities and publicans who, I am sure, will show an entrepreneurial spirit in setting up small local taxi or minibus services to provide affordable transport. An incentive scheme, such as reduced insurance premiums, could be put in place for those who provide rural public transport services.

While the decrease in the alcohol limit will impact on rural communities and their socialising habits, the loss of life caused by drink driving has done untold damage to families and communities alike. These accidents also impact negatively on emergency services, including the Garda, ambulance staff, doctors and nurses. Road deaths cause countless ripples within our communities and all efforts to reduce their number are to be commended. The Bill clarifies breath testing laws, brings Ireland in line with best practice throughout the developed world and will have the welcome effect of reducing road deaths and injuries. For these reasons, I commend it to the House.

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