KENNY WELCOMES DRUG DRIVING TESTS

Posted on October 18, 2012 11:52 AM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin Bay North Labour T.D., Seán Kenny, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, has welcomed the announcement by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, that the Road Traffic Bill, which is currently being drafted, will provide for roadside impairment testing for drug use by motorists. He also welcomed that detailed research will now be conducted into finding an appropriate drug testing device for use in Ireland.

"I understand that these tests will include cognitive tests such as walking in a straight line, tipping one's nose, or counting while standing on one leg. These new provisions, which are scientifically quantifiable, will assist Gardaí in forming the opinion that a driver is impaired due to drug intoxicants. To date, more than 3,000 Gardaí have been trained in the use of these impairment tests.

"Unlike alcohol, there is no legal limit for drugs. Under current road traffic law, the Gardaí must be satisfied that a driver is under the influence to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of a vehicle. This means that the Garda has to prove driver impairment to the satisfaction of the court, and this can cause difficulties in successfully prosecuting such offences. The new Road Traffic Bill currently being drafted will address this anomaly.

"The Medical Bureau of Road Safety has published a report on these matters. One of the main objectives in having the study carried out by the bureau was to determine if any devices existed, similar to breathalysers, which can assist the Gardaí in detecting and measuring the presence of drugs in a driver's system. A review of international practice in the area of roadside and confirmatory drug testing was also a major part of the study. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the Gardaí, together with other bodies, are now addressing the scientific, operational, legislative, resource and cost issues associated with the introduction of such devices in an Irish context, with the aim of finding a suitable device as quickly as possible.

"I believe that drug driving is becoming a serious issue on the roads, and I pleased to see solid steps being taken to address the problem in legislation. Ireland has made huge strides in clamping down on drink driving, and I know that we will be able to clamp down on drug driving as well. Motorists have to be aware that their cars can easily kill themselves and others if they are not in full control, and that this applies as much as when driving and drugs are mixed, as when driving and alcohol are mixed."