No equity for learner and novice drivers in Road Traffic Bill
Commenting on the Road Traffic Bill, Macra na Feirme national president Michael Gowing said the introduction of a two tier system of blood alcohol levels was dis-proportionately unfair to learner and novice drivers.
While welcoming a reduction from 80mg of blood alcohol to 50mg for the vast majority of drivers, he said his organisation was always opposed to the introduction of a second limit of 20mg of blood alcohol for professional, learner and novice drivers. One limit should have been introduced across the board, he said.
‘The system discriminates against learner drivers and novice drivers who are generally young people and who will now be treated differently in terms of the implementation of the drink driving laws’.
It is Macra’s understanding that under the drink driving law if it’s a first offence and the person is a learner, novice (up to two years post qualification) or professional driver and they are between 20mg and under 80mg of blood alcohol, they can opt for an administrative penalty with a €200 fine and 3 month driving ban and no court appearance or penalty points. However, for all other drivers the penalty is different, if the person is between 50 and 80 mg and it’s their first offence and they accept an administrative fine they pay €200 and get three penalty points and avoid a driving ban and a court appearance. For second offences and for first offences over 80mg an automatic ban and a court appearance apply.
He said a uniform limit would have reduced confusion among the public and not discriminated against learner, novice and professional drivers, however it is very important that the message ‘never ever drink a drive’ is continued to be conveyed to the public.
Finally, he said support for the Rural Transport infrastructure must be a key priority for the Department of Transport as access to social outlets and community services are a vital function in combating isolation and social exclusion in rural areas.
