11/01/2008
Drink-Drive Police Row In Focus As Lower Alcohol Levels Mooted
The row over an embarrassing drink-drive prosecution, which involved a female police officer who at the time of arrest had a high profile in PSNI-sponsored road safety commercials, rumbles on.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton defended allowing the officer caught drink driving to retain her job, but said there were instances when mitigating circumstances were taken into account in individual internal disciplinary decisions.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster earlier this week he also said that the incident preceded the PSNI's now standard dismissal policy – actioned on May 2006, and therefore didn't apply to this particular officer.
Now, Assembly Minister Arlene Foster has joined the debate and insisted that while it was wrong to drink and drive, the law did recognise mitigating circumstances, both in court and in matters of employment.
However, Ms Foster - a solitor by profession - said that she would resign her Government position if she was caught drink driving.
She then used the opportunity to outline a proposal to reduce the legal alcohol limit for driving in Northern Ireland from 80mg to 50mg per 100 millilitres of blood and to indicate that it will be a negligible 20mg for inexperienced drivers, motorcyclists and HGV drivers.
However, the Minister said the clear overall message was to "never, ever drink and drive".
(BMcC)
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton defended allowing the officer caught drink driving to retain her job, but said there were instances when mitigating circumstances were taken into account in individual internal disciplinary decisions.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster earlier this week he also said that the incident preceded the PSNI's now standard dismissal policy – actioned on May 2006, and therefore didn't apply to this particular officer.
Now, Assembly Minister Arlene Foster has joined the debate and insisted that while it was wrong to drink and drive, the law did recognise mitigating circumstances, both in court and in matters of employment.
However, Ms Foster - a solitor by profession - said that she would resign her Government position if she was caught drink driving.
She then used the opportunity to outline a proposal to reduce the legal alcohol limit for driving in Northern Ireland from 80mg to 50mg per 100 millilitres of blood and to indicate that it will be a negligible 20mg for inexperienced drivers, motorcyclists and HGV drivers.
However, the Minister said the clear overall message was to "never, ever drink and drive".
(BMcC)
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New Drink Driving Legislation Comes Into Force
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06 December 2023
'Just One Drink Could Kill' – Anti-Drink And Drug Driving Campaign
Just one drink could kill and ruin lives, this is the message to drivers as the PSNI launch the annual anti-drink and drug driving campaign. Launching the seasonal campaign, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, Operational Support Department, warned drivers there is absolutely no excuse for driving with drink or drugs.
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Just one drink could kill and ruin lives, this is the message to drivers as the PSNI launch the annual anti-drink and drug driving campaign. Launching the seasonal campaign, Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson, Operational Support Department, warned drivers there is absolutely no excuse for driving with drink or drugs.
29 May 2012
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
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08 January 2004
Rise in motorists caught drink driving
Police figures indicate that there was a rise in the number of motorists detected during this year’s winter anti-drink driving campaign. Of the 478 people detected, 82 up on last year, the youngest was a 15 year-old and the oldest 76 years of age.
Rise in motorists caught drink driving
Police figures indicate that there was a rise in the number of motorists detected during this year’s winter anti-drink driving campaign. Of the 478 people detected, 82 up on last year, the youngest was a 15 year-old and the oldest 76 years of age.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.