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Confusion over new alcohol bill

July 17th, 2018 5:05 PM

By Emma Connolly

Minister of State Jim Daly slammed ‘scaremongering' by independent TDs.

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The hysteria engaged in by a small group of independent TDs over the Road Traffic Bill would embarrass Donald Trump.

 

THE hysteria engaged in by a small group of independent TDs over the Road Traffic Bill would embarrass Donald Trump.

That’s according to Cork South West’s Jim Daly who said he wanted to stress that under their new bill the ‘alcohol limits have not been changed by a millilitre.’

The legislation just passed does not change the limits for alcohol consumption (a blood alcohol level of 50mg for experienced drivers). 

What has changed is that  anyone found over this will be put off the road for three months.

That limit is lower for learner drivers and professional drivers, at 20mg.

Currently if caught driving over the limit, a fine is handed out with three penalty points. Disqualification is only handed out as a penalty for drink drivers found with more than 80mg of alcohol in their blood.

Deputy Daly said: ‘I have met many constituents in recent days who are under the impression that the new blood alcohol limit is now zero. It is actually not changed at all, and remains the same as it was before this bill.’

He said that the scaremongering of independent TDs may ‘harvest votes, but it is of no use to voters.’

‘Some people felt they were now even deprived of having a drink at home at night in fear of driving to work in the morning under this “zero alcohol” gossip put about by these independent TDs. I say to these people the legal limit is exactly the same, I cannot stress it enough.’

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