Mandatory drug tests for drivers involved in collisions to begin this weekend
It comes as a response to the rise in serious collisions on Irish roads
Mandatory drug testing for motorists involved in serious road collisions will come into effect this weekend.
The new measures are being introduced to discourage drivers from driving while under the influence of drugs in an effort to curb the rising amount of serious and oftentimes fatal collisions on Irish roads.
Currently, drivers involved in such collisions are subject to mandatory alcohol testing, with Gardaí having discretionary power to test for drugs.
Minister of State for Transport, Jack Chambers, has now signed into law the Road Traffic Act 2024 (Commencement) (No.2) Order 2024, set to come into effect from midnight on May 31, 2024.
Speaking after the signing of the Order, Minister Chambers said:
“The signing of the ‘mandatory drug testing’ provisions into law is an important milestone in our response to the trends we are witnessing on our roads.
“Driving under the influence is one of the four main causes of road fatalities and it is simply unacceptable. Ensuring that enforcement by An Garda Síochána is underpinned by robust road traffic legislation is a priority for me and my Department.
“Government is committed to doing all it can to reverse the really alarming trends we have seen in recent times, where fatalities have been rising year-on-year. One life lost is one too many on our roads.
“I am committed to commencing the remaining provisions of the Act in the coming period, which will further enhance our response to the trend.”
The Department of Transport recently conveyed sanction to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to purchase an additional 10,000 “Drugwipe” test kits this year.
This should ensure that members of An Garda Síochána are adequately equipped to carry out increased numbers of roadside drug tests.
The Order sets a maximum waiting period of 30 minutes for roadside drug testing. The 30-minute period starts after a driver has supplied an oral fluid sample for drug testing.
While it is not often that drivers will be required to wait the full 30 minutes, unfortunate or unpredictable events can occur at the roadside, such as a faulty test, or another motorist in need of urgent assistance.
The 30-minute period allows for the results of the drug test to develop, which usually takes eight minutes, and for an additional test to be conducted, if required.
In addition to the introduction of mandatory drug testing, the Act also legislates for safer default speed limits on urban, national secondary and rural, local roads as well as introducing other road safety measures which will be implemented in stages.