Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has announced that Road Traffic No 3 Bill will include a section that will allow Gardaí to conduct roadside drug driving impairment tests.
The Road Safety Authority has run several campaigns to increase the public awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs. Driving under the influence of drugs, both illegal or prescription, is already an offense. However, additional legislation is required to give Gardaí the right to require drivers to perform standardised impairment tests.
Gardaí are already being trained in the new roadside procedures by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS). Drivers who fail the impairment tests will be arrested and brought to a Garda station. Drivers under the influence of drugs suffer a variety of side effects, including slower reaction times, poor concentration, fatigue, confusion, distorted perception, over confidence, poor coordination, erratic behavior, nausea, hallucinations, blurred vision, aggression, panic attacks, paranoia, dizziness, and tremors. Gardaí have been trained to recognize the symptoms.
Regardless of the physical circumstances of a road traffic accident, liability for the accident will be clearly attributed to a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you have been in an accident and you suspect that the third party is under the influence of drugs, you should immediately call the Gardai and ask them to test the other driver.