KNOW THE LOWER DRINK DRIVE LIMITS AND THE NEW PENALTIES
Under the new limits, if the level of alcohol present in the body (Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC) is between: 50mg & 80mg
The driver will be arrested, brought to a Garda Station and required to provide evidential breath or blood or urine specimens. In all cases where the BAC is between 50 and 80mg, the driver will be served with a fixed penalty notice and receive a fine of €200 and 3 penalty points. Points will remain on a licence record for a period of three years. Any driver accumulating 12 points in a three year period will be disqualified from driving for a period of 6 months.
Under the new limits, if the level of alcohol present in the body (Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC) is between: 80mg & 100mg
The driver will be arrested, brought to a Garda Station and required to provide evidential breath or blood or urine specimens. In all cases where the BAC is between 80 and 100mg, the driver will be served with a fixed penalty notice and receive a fine of €400 and the person will be disqualified from holding a driving licence for a period of 6 months.
Under the new limits, if the level of alcohol present in the body for learner, newly qualified or professional drivers (Goods, Bus, Public Service vehicle e.g. Taxi) is between : 20mg & 80mg
The driver will be arrested, brought to a Garda Station and required to provide evidential breath or blood or urine specimens. In all cases where the BAC is between 20 and 80mg, the driver will be served with a fixed penalty notice and receive a fine of €200 and the person will be disqualified from holding a driving licence for a period of 3 months.
* If a driver cannot produce his or her driving licence when required to undergo the preliminary roadside breath test, the lower limit of 20mg will apply until such time as the driver produces their licence. Drivers are reminded that it is a legal requirement to carry a valid driving licence at all times when driving.
* If a person does not wish to accept the fixed penalty notice and chooses to go to court and is convicted, the penalties are increased. Specifically for first offences where the BAC does not exceed 80mg the disqualification period that applies is 6 months. In situations where the BAC detected is between 80mg and 100mg the disqualification period is 1 year. Where the BAC detected is above 100mg, or above 80mg for learner drivers and professional drivers, please see www.rsa.ie for disqualification periods.
* A driver can only avail of the penalty points / fixed penalty option once in a 3-year period
* Learner Drivers & Professional Drivers:
Disclaimer