Effective Friday, drivers involved in serious road collisions in the Republic of Ireland will undergo mandatory drug testing, expanding beyond the existing mandatory alcohol testing by An Garda Síochána (Irish police).
Previously, drug testing after road incidents was at the discretion of police officers.
The new measures aim to enhance road safety awareness and address the concerning trend of rising road fatalities in recent years.
As part of this initiative, an additional 10,000 drug-wipe test kits were procured earlier in the year to support the implementation of these regulations.
The drug-wipe test kits screen for various substances and typically take around eight minutes to complete.
However, under the new mandate, roadside drug testing will have a maximum waiting period of 30 minutes.
Minister of Transport Jack Chambers emphasized the importance of tackling driving under the influence, which is a major contributor to road fatalities.
He stated, “Ensuring that enforcement by An Garda Síochána is underpinned by robust road traffic legislation is a priority for me and my department.”
The move comes after concerns highlighted in an April report by the Policing Authority regarding challenges in accessing doctors promptly for blood tests following roadside arrests.
This delay has resulted in suspects being released without charge after hours without conclusive tests.
The Republic of Ireland has witnessed an alarming increase in road deaths, with 184 fatalities recorded in 2023, marking the highest number in nearly a decade and a 19% surge compared to 2022.
As of May 29, 2024, police data indicate 79 fatalities in road traffic collisions this year, an increase from the same period last year.
An Garda Síochána has initiated several road safety campaigns in response to this concerning trend.
Source-BBC
