What are the current penalties for drink driving?
For drink driving offences, the disqualification periods range from 1 to 6 years depending on the level of alcohol detected, and whether it is a first or subsequent offence.
The offence of refusing to provide a sample of blood, urine, or breath for evidential purposes will attract an automatic disqualification of 4 years for a first offence and 6 years for a second or subsequent offence.
What are the penalties for drink driving at the new lower limit?
The administrative procedures for dealing with drink driving offences is detailed below:
If the driver is a learner, novice or professional driver they are tested at the 20mg limit. If a driver is tested and they are above this limit, they are served with an on the spot fixed penalty notice and receive a fine of €200 and the person will be disqualified from holding a driving licence for a period of 3 months.
If the driver (any category, any vehicle) is tested at the 50mg limit and they are over the limit they will be issued an on the spot of fixed penalty notice, receive a fine of €200 and 3 penalty points. Points will remain on the licence record for a period of three years, Any driver accumulating 12 points in a three year period will be disqualified from driving for a period of 6 months.
Why is breath testing used to measure the level of alcohol?
The measurement of drivers’ BAC is most often not based on a measurement of the blood content. However it is more common now for drivers to be asked to blow into an evidential breath testing device (EBT) and their lung air is analysed.
The legal breath alcohol concentration of 0.22m/l corresponds to a BAC of 0.05g/dL in Ireland.
In certain circumstances blood and / or urine measurements are also used.
Continue reading:Drinking and Driving in the EU