PEOPLE convicted of drink driving will be automatically offered rehabilitation training from Monday in a bid to tackle re-offending rates.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced the change to legislation, which until now had referrals at the discretion of the judge handling the case.
Courts will still have power to block the referrral "for special reasons" where it decides attendance would be "inappropriate".
Under the new framework anyone completing the approved Course for Drink Drive Offenders will also have their disqualification period reduced by up to a quarter.
"These courses are crucial in making a positive difference, not only for the individual offenders who complete the training, but also for the wider community sharing the use of the roads," Ms Mallon said.
"While the change in legislation will make referral to the course automatic, the decision to enrol will remain voluntary.
"That said, based on the current level of take up, this change has the potential to more than double the number of course participants."
The change has been brought in after the department commissioned several re-conviction studies examining the impact and value of such training.
The most recent study found people who have completed a course are less likely to re-offend for up to four years afterwards.
"Drink driving can seriously injure or kill, causing devastation to victims and families. I want to do what I can to stop it," the minister said.
"A drink driving conviction can also have life changing consequences for many individuals and families. I don't want anyone to be in this situation and therefore my core message remains never ever drink and drive. However, when drink driving does happen, I want to enable the risk of re-offending to be addressed right at the point of conviction.
"Making maximum use of approved drink drive offender courses will help offenders to take personal responsibility for their drinking and their driving - and to understand why the two should never be mixed."
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said he hoped the legislation would "both deter and re-educate those people who have been detected drink driving".
"The police service see the value in re-educating drivers and reducing re-offending, so this automatic referral scheme for convicted drink drivers will be a positive step towards changing attitudes and behaviour.
"Despite reduced traffic levels during 2020, police detected 3,409 drivers who failed a roadside breath test and made that incredibly selfish decision to drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
"We will continue to enforce the road safety legislation and prioritise the detection of road users taking unnecessary and potentially life-changing risks."
