Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy Jack Chambers): ……………………………….

The four main causes of road fatalities remain speeding, intoxicated driving, non-wearing of seat belts and distracted driving, all of which come down to driver behaviour. Irish data from a range of sources, including self-report surveys, observational studies, analysis of coronial data and collision figures, show concerning levels of these dangerous driver behaviours and in some cases a deterioration of attitudes around them. High levels of mobile phone usage are being reported by drivers in Ireland. Research from 2022 indicates that approximately one in four motorists are not only checking their phones, but writing messages while driving. Drug driving is also a serious concern. Data indicate that Irish drivers arrested for drug driving are typically male and under the age of 45. Cannabis, cocaine and benzodiazepines are the most commonly detected drugs.

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Data from the Road Safety Authority shows that almost half of fatalities this year occurred between Friday and Sunday. Although night time features lower traffic volumes it features a higher number of collisions. Evidence suggests that these periods present greater risks in terms of driver behaviour such as drink and drug driving and fatigue. This is particularly true on bank holiday weekends. The Bill will propose to allow for higher penalty points where we can vary the penalty points for specific periods such as bank holiday weekends.

At present, members of An Garda Síochána are required to take a breath specimen for the purposes of testing for the presence of alcohol at the scene of road traffic accidents. This is known as mandatory alcohol testing. Gardaí are not however required to conduct a drug test at the scene of a collision. Instead they have the option to do so. While gardaí sometimes do conduct such tests at the scene of collisions we are proposing to make drug testing mandatory on the same basis as alcohol testing. I hope Deputies will agree that this will further strengthen safety on our roads.

………………….. Mandatory drug testing at the scene of collisions will ensure that all drivers involved in crashes who have illegal substances in their systems will be caught and held responsible for their actions. The implementation of key recommendations from the speed limit review will greatly increase safety on our roads and, in particular, protect vulnerable road users across the country. I acknowledge the work of the officials in my Department and in the different agencies who are delivering many of the actions in the road safety strategy and I commend the efforts to improve road safety as we approach the end of 2023.

Deputy Martin Kenny:………... I welcome the idea of having mandatory drug testing at the scenes of accidents. Indeed, drug testing is something we need to see rolled out more across the country in general when it comes to checks that gardaí are doing at checkpoints.………………………………………..

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