Transcript Road Traffic Bill 2015

Presentation to JOC Transport & Communications
16 April 2015
Fintan 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UK has withdrawn from the existing EU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 animaldrawn vehicles

Penalty Points – New provision relating to use of electronic
devices and a minor change relating to trailers with a max
weigh >3,500Kg.