The Cabinet has voted to accept the new Road Safety Bill and so clear the way for random breath testing of drivers, privately operated speed cameras and a ban on using handheld mobile phones.
Speaking at the announcement of the Summer "Arrive Alive" road safety campaign in Dublin today, Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said he hoped the Dáil would pass the legislation before the Summer recess in the first week of July.
The new legislation will allow random breath testing by gardaí who are no longer obliged to form the opinion that a driver is driving under the influence of drink.
With random breath testing, a garda will be able to ask a motorist to take a test at any point, by blowing into a bag to determine alcohol levels.
Mr Cullen said drivers who are detected to be over the limit - with between 80 and 100 mg of alcohol in their system - will be able to accept an automatic six-month suspension and fine, rather than risking further punishment at a full court hearing.
The legislation will also ban drivers from using hand-held mobile telephones while driving, following a failed attempt five years ago, although hands-free models will be permitted.
The Minister announced in April that he hoped the Government would have the first of 300 privately operated speed cameras in operation on Irish roads by the end of this year. Mr Cullen said the public had an appetite for tougher implementation of the laws and warned against anyone who considered drinking and driving.
"Today, as we face into summer holiday time, I am making a particular appeal to all drivers not to drive after you have consumed alcohol. Even one alcoholic drink should be avoided if you are going to drive, he said.
As you hear "just the one", bear in mind that just one alcoholic drink will impair your driving ability and judgment with potentially tragic consequences", the Minister said.
