Road Traffic Bill 2015Presentation to JOC Transport & Communications
16 April 2015Fintan Towey - DTTaS
Overview of Bill
Drug Driving Distracted Driving - Electronic
Communications Mutual Recognition of Disqualifications with
UK Written-off Vehicles Employers Test Drivers for Intoxicants Provision for a special speed limit of
20Km/Hr
Drug Driving 1
Policy – Bring into line with Drink Driving
New Offences –
oDriving + presence of illicit drug(s)
oDriving impaired + presence of licit drugs
Drug Driving 2
MBRS empowered to test, approve & supply devices for AGS in roadside drug testing
AGS empowered to require oral fluid specimen at roadside for testing for drugs
Provision for Mandatory Intoxicant Testing
Drug Driving 3
Requirement to provide blood specimen at Garda Station following arrest after detection of drugs/ impairment
Penalties – similar to drink driving
Higher penalties for drink + drugs
Distracted Driving
Driver distraction a major risk factor
Illegal to hold a phone while driving since 2006 (primary legislation)
Illegal to text hands-free since May 2014 (secondary legislation)
New Bill will integrate, strengthen and future-proof legislation on driver distraction due to use of electronic devices
Mutual Recognition of
Disqualifications Ireland/UK
UK has withdrawn from the existing EU Convention
Bilateral agreement with UK now negotiated
Legislation needed to give effect to new agreement
Written-Off Vehicles
Create Register of Written-off Vehicles
Register Linked to NVDF
Offence to Drive Written-off Vehicle on Public Road
Enabling Power to Make Regulations
Further Measures Responsibility on employers of drivers of
buses/minibuses/HGVs to test for intoxicants
Offence of participating in unauthorised races of animal-drawn vehicles
Penalty Points – New provision relating to use of electronic devices and a minor change relating to trailers with a max weigh >3,500Kg.