Road safety: the next steps

The Road Traffic Bill will allow for a clampdown on drug driving and extend powers to penalise distracted drivers.

Ireland’s road safety strategy reduced deaths on the roads from 365 to 162 between 2006 and 2012 but deaths increased to 190 and 196 respectively in the two subsequent years. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport had recognised that it would be difficult to maintain that downward trend, especially with increased traffic on the roads after the recession. However, its overall objective is still to reduce fatalities hence the introduction of extra penalties in the new Road Traffic Bill 2015.
As it stands, the Bill will outlaw driving or being in charge of a vehicle with either the presence of illicit, prescribed or over-the-counter drugs whilst impaired. Mandatory testing for alcohol will be renamed as mandatory intoxication testing with gardaí using more advanced equipment.

At present, impairment by drugs can only be proven by testing a blood or urine specimen provided in a Garda station or hospital. The department will therefore introduce roadside testing.

Each testing device will cost €10-20 and the cost per test is expected to be considerably higher than that for an alcohol breath test (€0.16). Its preferred options are zero tolerance for illicit drugs and a continued requirement for gardaí to prove impairment where legal or prescribed drugs have been used.

The most recent Garda statistics for drug driving – for 2012 – indicate that 290 persons drove or were in charge of a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. This was much smaller than the number of drink driving offences (8,254) but those involved often pose a serious risk to other road users due to the effects of cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy.

A register of written-off vehicles will also be introduced. The department had intended to introduce the register last year but ran out of legislative time. The register is expected to be self-financing after a small initial outlay. This will also allow for criteria to define a written-off vehicle and how, following repairs, a vehicle could be taken off the register.

Participating in the racing of animals and animal-drawn vehicles on public roads prohibited unless approved by a local authority (which must also consult gardaí). It is currently unlawful to organise a prohibited race but it is often difficult for prosecutors to identify the organiser.

Drivers of buses and HGVs will also be obliged be tested for intoxicants – a responsibility of their employers. The change is supported by Ibec and CIÉ. Penalty points will be imposed for texting, sending emails and/or browsing the internet while an electronic device is in a holder in a car or using certain large trailers or semi-trailers without a licence i.e. those with a maximum permissible weight exceeding 3,500kg.

The Oireachtas Transport and Communication Committee began its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill in April. Minister Donohoe hopes to introduce the Bill in the autumn session with a view to it becoming law by the end of the year.