Proposed changes to drink driving legislation

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017 proposes a change to the penalties for drivers who are caught drink driving at blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels between 50-80mg.

Under the proposed legislation, drink driving offences committed at BAC levels between 50mg and 80mg will incur an automatic disqualification of 3 months instead of the current penalty of a €200 fine and 3 penalty points.

The change in legislation does not change the legal limits for drink driving but does increase the penalties so offenders will lose their licence at a lower level than currently.

This is necessary to change the behaviour of the small group of people who continue to drink and drive.