26/09/2011
Road Safety Drive As Booze Laws Revised
The drink-drive limit is to be almost halved for most drivers under the biggest shake-up in the law for 40 years and random breath testing will also enforce the tough new limits.
NI Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "There is widespread public support for a step change in how we deal with drink drivers and I believe that what I am proposing will make a real difference."
He said that the blood alcohol limit would fall to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for most drivers from 80mg.
It will be 20mg for young or inexperienced motorists or those who drive for a living - virtually nil in terms of taking a drink.
The SDLP Minister's proposals include a comprehensive package of measures to tackle drink driving including the introduction of new, lower drink drive limits and new graduated fixed penalties.
"Great improvements have been made in the 'drink-driving culture' in Northern Ireland over the last two decades.
"Unfortunately more needs to be done. Over the last five years 75 people have been killed and 473 seriously injured by drivers impaired by drink or drugs.
"This is totally unacceptable and I am determined to do what I can to tackle this issue once and for all.
"I have listened to the public on this. There is widespread public support for a step change in how we deal with drink drivers and I believe that what I am proposing will make a real difference," he added and said that, subject to Executive Committee agreement, the Department of the Environment intends to have drink drive legislation ready for public consultation by March 2012.
The new legislation would also include a graduated penalty regime including fixed penalties for first offences at lower limits and the automatic referral of offenders to an approved drink drive rehabilitation scheme.
It will also see the removal of the right, in certain circumstances, for a driver to ask for a blood or urine sample to replace a breath test sample.
The Minister concluded: "We must act now to prevent more carnage on our roads.
"What I and DOE are about is making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest and this will certainly help do that."
The proposal will mean that NI has a different legal standing to the rest of the UK, where existing limits are being kept, but discussions about dropping the drink-driving limit in the Republic of Ireland are ongoing.
The 50mg/100ml already applies in several European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
The Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed the proposed legislation and called for consultation with the Irish Government to set an all Ireland limit.
"The toll of 75 deaths and nearly 500 serious injuries over a five-year period through drink driving is unacceptable and this initiative will help empower the police to tackle those who still think it is ok to drink and drive.
"I also believe that there is an opportunity to consult with the Irish Government in order to set an all Ireland limit. This would be beneficial along the border area where two different levels could cause confusion."
(BMcC/GK)
NI Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: "There is widespread public support for a step change in how we deal with drink drivers and I believe that what I am proposing will make a real difference."
He said that the blood alcohol limit would fall to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for most drivers from 80mg.
It will be 20mg for young or inexperienced motorists or those who drive for a living - virtually nil in terms of taking a drink.
The SDLP Minister's proposals include a comprehensive package of measures to tackle drink driving including the introduction of new, lower drink drive limits and new graduated fixed penalties.
"Great improvements have been made in the 'drink-driving culture' in Northern Ireland over the last two decades.
"Unfortunately more needs to be done. Over the last five years 75 people have been killed and 473 seriously injured by drivers impaired by drink or drugs.
"This is totally unacceptable and I am determined to do what I can to tackle this issue once and for all.
"I have listened to the public on this. There is widespread public support for a step change in how we deal with drink drivers and I believe that what I am proposing will make a real difference," he added and said that, subject to Executive Committee agreement, the Department of the Environment intends to have drink drive legislation ready for public consultation by March 2012.
The new legislation would also include a graduated penalty regime including fixed penalties for first offences at lower limits and the automatic referral of offenders to an approved drink drive rehabilitation scheme.
It will also see the removal of the right, in certain circumstances, for a driver to ask for a blood or urine sample to replace a breath test sample.
The Minister concluded: "We must act now to prevent more carnage on our roads.
"What I and DOE are about is making Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest and this will certainly help do that."
The proposal will mean that NI has a different legal standing to the rest of the UK, where existing limits are being kept, but discussions about dropping the drink-driving limit in the Republic of Ireland are ongoing.
The 50mg/100ml already applies in several European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.
The Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan has welcomed the proposed legislation and called for consultation with the Irish Government to set an all Ireland limit.
"The toll of 75 deaths and nearly 500 serious injuries over a five-year period through drink driving is unacceptable and this initiative will help empower the police to tackle those who still think it is ok to drink and drive.
"I also believe that there is an opportunity to consult with the Irish Government in order to set an all Ireland limit. This would be beneficial along the border area where two different levels could cause confusion."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2024
Justice Minister Announces New PSNI Pay Offer
Justice Minister Naomi Long has confirmed the 2023-24 pay remit for police officers at Federated and Superintending ranks has been agreed. The award is consistent with the recommendations of the independent police remuneration review body.
Justice Minister Announces New PSNI Pay Offer
Justice Minister Naomi Long has confirmed the 2023-24 pay remit for police officers at Federated and Superintending ranks has been agreed. The award is consistent with the recommendations of the independent police remuneration review body.
26 March 2024
New Manifesto To Transform NI's Credit Union Network
The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has launched a new policy manifesto to support the Northern Ireland Assembly in bringing about essential changes and recognising the essential role of credit unions within communities and the wider economy.
New Manifesto To Transform NI's Credit Union Network
The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has launched a new policy manifesto to support the Northern Ireland Assembly in bringing about essential changes and recognising the essential role of credit unions within communities and the wider economy.
25 June 2010
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
14 September 2011
Attwood Convenes Special Road Safety Forum
Environment Minister Alex Attwood will today convene a special Road Safety Forum to highlight initiatives he wants to introduce to reduce road casualties.
Attwood Convenes Special Road Safety Forum
Environment Minister Alex Attwood will today convene a special Road Safety Forum to highlight initiatives he wants to introduce to reduce road casualties.
21 February 2024
Irish Govt Commits To Invest €800m In Northern Ireland
The announcement of an €800 million (£685m) investment in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government has been welcomed as a "significant contribution" by Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA.
Irish Govt Commits To Invest €800m In Northern Ireland
The announcement of an €800 million (£685m) investment in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government has been welcomed as a "significant contribution" by Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with further outbreaks of rain this morning, heavy at times, especially over north Antrim. Becoming drier and brighter this afternoon with sunny spells and a few showers. Winds becoming light. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Further showers this evening, some heavy, especially in the east, dying out early tonight. Then mainly dry with clear periods developing, leading to a touch of frost and icy patches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.