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UK has withdrawn from the existing EU Convention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.