The new drunk driving laws in Ireland

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The new drunk driving laws in Ireland
Driving after alcohol consumption is a serious
road safety issue in Ireland and the laws have
been updated continuously to eliminate this
offence. In an earlier report, it was published
that alcohol was the contributory factor in 38
percent of all fatal road accidents in the
country between 2008 and 2012. The mandatory
alcohol testing through a breath analyser, also
known as the random breath testing came into
effect in 2006 and has led to significant
elimination of the problem. The Road Traffic Act
2006 gave the Garda, the authority to breathalyse
the drivers without the need to form an opinion
that they are drunk.
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A few facts regarding the road accidents in
Ireland from past years

• Even though the effect of alcohol is same on all
  human beings, statistics prove that young male
  drivers, especially between the ages of 19 to 34
  are more likely to be involved in fatal
  collisions.
• Alcohol related accidents in Ireland are most
  likely to occur late at night and early in the
  morning. The chances of such accidents are also
  higher on the weekends.
• Since the introduction of random breath testing,
  the number of drunk drivers reduced drastically.
  From 4 out of every 200 in 2006, the number of
  such drivers came down to one out of every 200 in
  2009.
• In a survey conducted in 2015, one in ten
  drivers admitted to drunk driving in the past 12
  months.
• Figures from the past years indicate that 38 of
  all driver deaths and 47 of all pedestrian
  deaths are a result of driving after alcohol
  consumption.
• Men are more likely to drink and drive than the
  women.

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• While the amount of alcohol one consumes can be
  controlled, the speed at which the body processes
  it, cannot be fastened.
• A standard drink like half a pint of beer or 100
  ml of wine takes one hour to get processed in the
  body.
• The last drink in the previous night will affect
  the amount of alcohol in ones system the next
  morning.

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The details of the drink driving laws
Drinking and driving is not a thing of the past
as many people believe and is still a major
threat on the roads.  As the level of blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, it
affects the vital motor and visual faculties
controlled by the brain, bringing up serious
risks for drivers in action. The Road Safety
Authority has taken steps to ensure that those
who are appearing for the Driver Theory tests
are fully informed about the facts and risks of
drunken driving. The test include a mandatory
section on driving under the influence of
alcohol for both vehicle and motorcycle drivers.
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Before going into the new drink driving laws
Ireland, let us look into the four separate
drunken driving offences classified Under
Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2010. The
offences are categorised between experienced
drivers and new drivers. New drivers are those
who have a driving licence for 2 years or less
and also those who have no valid licence or
permit. These are the following four offences
listed under the law.
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• Driving or attempting to drive a mechanically
  propelled vehicle in a public place while being
  under the influence of an
• intoxicant with the concentration of
  alcohol in his or her blood, within 3 hours after
  so driving or attempting to drive not
• exceeding the following values.
• 50 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
  blood for experienced drivers and,
• 20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
  blood for other drivers.
• Driving or attempting to drive a mechanically
  propelled vehicle in a public place while being
  under the influence of an
• intoxicant with the concentration of
  alcohol in his or her urine, within 3 hours after
  so driving or attempting to drive not
• exceeding the following values.
• 67 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
  urine for experienced drivers and,

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• 27 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
  urine for other drivers.
• Driving or attempting to drive a mechanically
  propelled vehicle in a public place while being
  under the influence of an
• intoxicant with the following concentration
  of alcohol in his or her breath within 3 hours
  after so driving or attempting
• drive not exceeding the following values.
• 22 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
  urine for experienced drivers and,
• 9 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of
  urine for other drivers.
•  
• violation of these laws can lead to a fine
  exceeding 5,000 or to imprisonment for a term
  not exceeding 6 months or to
• both. It should be noted that the term
  intoxicant includes alcohol and drugs and any
  combination of drugs or of drugs
• and alcohol.

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The new drink driving laws Ireland

• For learner, novice and professional drivers a
  blood alcohol concentration of 20 to 80mg will
  lead to a 200 fine and a 3 months of driving
  ban.
• For ordinary drivers, a blood alcohol
  concentration of 50 to 80mg will lead to a 200
  fine and 3 months of driving ban.
• For ordinary drivers, a blood alcohol
  concentration of 80 to 100mg will lead to a 400
  fine and a 3 months of driving ban.
• Surveys have indicated that a large majority of
  the adult population In Ireland are in support of
  this newly introduced legislation. For
  more driving training Dublin , Please reach us
  right now.

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085 118 1111
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What if you are arrested under the new drink
driving laws Ireland?

• You will be informed that you are being arrested
  for the offence of drunk driving and will be
  taken to the nearest Garda station
• You will be informed of your rights and that
  includes the right to consult with a solicitor.
• You will be asked for a blood, urine or a breath
  specimen which will be divided into two
  containers in your presence and sealed.
• While one of these containers will be handed over
  to you, the other one will be send to the Medical
  Bureau of Road Safety for necessary analysis.
• The results of the test will be posted to your
  address and you can also independently analyse
  your specimen.

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• You will be informed that you are being arrested
  for the offence of drunk driving and will be
  taken to the nearest Garda station.
• You will be informed of your rights and that
  includes the right to consult with a solicitor.
• You will be asked for a blood, urine or a breath
  specimen which will be divided into two
  containers in your presence and sealed. While one
  of these containers will be handed over to you,
  the other one will be send to the Medical Bureau
  of Road Safety for necessary analysis.
• The results of the test will be posted to your
  address and you can also independently analyse
  your specimen.

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085 118 1111
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Finishing words
Drunken driving can led to a disaster for not
only a driver but also for his relatives and
family members. A thorough knowledge about the
existing laws and showing the right level of
responsibility towards ones own self and the
other road users is absolutely necessary at all
times. You can discuss the issue with your
friends and family members to gain further
experience and also to spread the awareness about
the dangers of driving under alcohol influence.
Considering the severe consequences, we advise
that it is not at all worth taking the risk.
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085 118 1111
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Contact Us
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085 118 1111
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https//nationaldrivingschool.ie
085 118 1111