The new measures come into force today, 1 June 2011, and require Gardaí to conduct a preliminary breath test where they believe a driver has consumed alcohol, or at the scene of a crash where someone has been injured and requires medical attention. The measures have been brought in through the Road Traffic Act (2011).

The Dean of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine, Dr Patricia Fitzpatrick in welcoming the implementation of the legislation said, “This measure, coupled with a reduction in drink-driving limits, acts as further deterrent to drink-driving, which will save lives and prevent injuries and disabilities. It is an important step in the battle against drink-driving and builds on the success of random breath-testing introduced in 2006 that has saved hundreds of lives”.

Dr Fitzpatrick added that, “Alcohol causes a lot of harm in Ireland. Evidence-based strategies and legislation have worked very well in road safety and are now required in many other sectors, such as the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and the promotion and advertising of alcohol.”