Northern Ireland

Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon clamps down on drink driving

The change to legislation will prevent suspected drink drivers from trying to evade prosecution by delaying testing
The change to legislation will prevent suspected drink drivers from trying to evade prosecution by delaying testing The change to legislation will prevent suspected drink drivers from trying to evade prosecution by delaying testing

A CHANGE to legislation which will prevent suspected drink drivers from trying to evade prosecution by delaying testing, comes into effect from today.

Infrastructure minister Nichola Mallon has announced the major clamp down on those who get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

She said that a "change in law will abolish a driver’s right to request a replacement blood or urine specimen where a breath specimen is marginally above the legal alcohol limit".

"The removal of the ‘statutory option’ is a much needed update to road traffic legislation in Northern Ireland," she said.

"This right was first introduced as a safeguard at a time when breath testing equipment was a new technology and there was a need for caution.

"While advances in technology and rigorous testing of devices has made the requirement obsolete, up until today, drivers could still put the option to use but for the wrong reason.

"It can be used as a delaying tactic as the time taken to arrange a replacement sample to be taken by a doctor, means it is likely the alcohol level will have fallen since the point of detection.

"This can lead to rightful prosecution being successfully evaded.

"Make no mistake, drink driving can kill. There is no excuse and I want to take a zero tolerance approach.

"All road users deserve to feel safe and should be protected from those who recklessly get behind the wheel.

"This action is to help keep our roads safe and protect everyone in our community.?"

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts has welcomed the removal of the 'statutory option' from road traffic legislation in Northern Ireland.

"Police officers and our emergency service colleagues regularly respond to serious collisions in which people are killed and seriously injured, where the consumption of alcohol has been a factor," he said.

"Our message is clear. One drink can impair. One drink can cause a collision. One drink, can cause a collision which kills or injures.

"Never, ever drink and drive. There is no safe limit."