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26/09/2011
Ulster Goes It Alone On Drink-Driving
Ulster's 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.
(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.
(BMcC/GK)
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22 March 2011
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A package of measures to tackle drink and drug driving has been set out by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond. Improved testing equipment to detect drink and drug drivers will be given the green light and key changes made to streamline enforcement of both offences.
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19 May 2015
Calls To Lower Drink-Drive Limit In England
The Police Federation has said the drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be lowered. The organisation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, wants the limit cut from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Calls To Lower Drink-Drive Limit In England
The Police Federation has said the drink-drive limit in England and Wales should be lowered. The organisation, which represents rank and file officers in England and Wales, wants the limit cut from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
05 August 2004
10-year-old British child killed in Crete
A 10-year-old British boy has died and three other children and an adult have been injured in a coach crash on the Mediterranean island of Crete this morning. The crash happened at midnight (2am GMT) when the coach, which was carrying 30 British tourists, was hit by a truck close to the resort of Malia.
10-year-old British child killed in Crete
A 10-year-old British boy has died and three other children and an adult have been injured in a coach crash on the Mediterranean island of Crete this morning. The crash happened at midnight (2am GMT) when the coach, which was carrying 30 British tourists, was hit by a truck close to the resort of Malia.
01 December 2010
Designated Drivers 'Go Pop'
Designated drivers will be rewarded with soft drinks popping open in thousands of pubs across the UK and the Irish Republic as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
Designated Drivers 'Go Pop'
Designated drivers will be rewarded with soft drinks popping open in thousands of pubs across the UK and the Irish Republic as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.
24 July 2007
Call for drink drive limit to be lowered in Scotland
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are calling for the Scottish Executive to consider lowering the current drink drive limit in a bid to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Scotland's roads. The ACPOS is expected to present a paper to First Minister Alex Salmond within the next few weeks.
Call for drink drive limit to be lowered in Scotland
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are calling for the Scottish Executive to consider lowering the current drink drive limit in a bid to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Scotland's roads. The ACPOS is expected to present a paper to First Minister Alex Salmond within the next few weeks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
