Written answers

Wednesday, 19 September 2018

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Commencement of Legislation

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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12. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the implementation of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37708/18]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue.  I know he has taken quite an interest in this particular Act.

I am keen to see this legislation in force as soon as possible, and my Department is working with the key stakeholders, and in particular An Garda Síochána, to bring it into effect as soon as possible.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018 addresses two factors of great importance in road safety, drink driving, and the illegal practice of learner drivers driving while unaccompanied.

The drink driving provisions will ensure that in future ALL drink driving offences will carry a disqualification, instead of the unacceptable practice whereby some drink drivers have until now been able to walk away with penalty points and continue driving immediately.  Drink driving, even at low levels, is an extremely dangerous practice.  The World Health Organisation has shown that even low levels of alcohol can have a significant effect on people's reaction times, and this can be crucial in any set of circumstances where a driver has to respond quickly to what is happening on the road.

Following from discussions with An Garda Síochána, it is my intention to commence the drink driving provisions from 26 October, that is in time for the October Bank Holiday Weekend.  I very much hope that the impact of these measures will be to make people think twice about drinking and driving.  What we want is for all road-users to behave in a safe and responsible way.  This is not about catching people, it is about educating people, and deterring those who refuse to behave in a socially responsible way. 

The unaccompanied learner provisions will be commenced later this year.  The Deputy may be aware that some people seem to think that driving by unaccompanied learners is acceptable in certain circumstances.  This is a symptom of the problem, because this irresponsible practice has been illegal since 2007.  And yet it continues.  What the new measures will do is provide effective deterrence and counter-measures.  Owners who let unaccompanied learners drive their vehicles will be held to account, and Gardaí will be empowered to detain vehicles driven by unaccompanied learners. 

I intend for these measures to be in effect in time for the Christmas holiday.

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