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:

• Someone who holds a learner permit,
• Someone who holds his or her first driving licence, for a 2 year period from its date of issue,
• Someone who holds a driving licence to drive a vehicle in the category C, C1, D, D1, EB, EC, EC1, ED, ED1 and W while driving, attempting to drive or being in charge of such a vehicle,
• Someone who holds a licence to drive a small public service vehicle granted under section 34 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 attempting to drive or being in charge of such a vehicle when the vehicle is being used in the course of business.

Disclaimer

• Inhealth make no warranties, express or implied as to the ability of these breathalysers  to determine whether a user of this product is legally intoxicated, and inhealth expressly disclaims any liability for incidental, special, or consequential damages of any nature.
• Decisions and/or actions based upon the reading of these devices shall be entirely the person’s own risk.
• Inhealth make no warranties express or implied that these breathalyzers or any modification or adjustment thereof is a legal protector or evidence or defence against any police or public procedure or judicial or investigative proceedings in any jurisdiction.
• Inhealth does not warrant the veracity of the readings of these breathalyser units as evidence.
• Inhealth assumes no responsibility for users who test negative when and later show that they are under the influence of alcohol or are proven to be intoxicated by alcohol.
• The user is obliged to read the instructions & disclaimer provided with each device.