As reported here on The Filter back in August, the new drink driving laws in Ireland come into effect from midnight tomorrow, Thursday 27th October, reducing the maximium amount of alcohol in a drivers bloodstream to as little as 20 milligrams per 100ml of blood.
The limit is being reduced to come in line with European levels - here is the breakdown of what the new laws mean:
Overall limit is being reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood.
You will be subject to the lower limit of 20mg if you are one of the following:
- Professional driver (bus, goods vehicle and public service vehicle drivers)
- Learner driver
- Newly qualifed driver (up to 2 years after passing the driving test)
- Driver who can not present their licence on being stopped by the Gardai
New Penalty Points system is now also in place to deal with these drink driving offences
- Under the current system, all drivers caught drink driving, regardless of the amount of alcohol in their blood, are prosecuted in court, and disqualified from driving for 12 months if convicted.
- Under the new laws, Gardai have powers allowing them to impose three penalty points and an on-the-spot fine of €200 for motorists caught slightly above the new legal limit of 50mg, with further, heavier sanctions such as disqualification being applied if there is a higher amount of alcohol is found in their blood.
The Gardai have stated that they intend to step up their checkpoints this coming bank holiday weekend as the new laws take effect. Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has stated that the measures were designed to build on the good progress already made on the roads in Ireland.
