Regulations to tackle drink driving in Northern Ireland

Summary

New provisions to tackle the harm caused by drink driving in Northern Ireland were included in the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill that completed its passage through the NI Assembly in January 2016.

The provisions include two new lower drink drive limits, the lowest of which will apply to novice and professional drivers, together with a new graduated penalty regime. The Bill also provides for new police powers which will increase the likelihood of being stopped and tested and removes the right to opt for a blood or urine sample to replace a breath sample, in circumstances where the breath sample is marginally above the limit. It also ensures that a greater number of drink drivers will complete the drink drive rehabilitation course. The course is designed to make offenders take more responsibility for their actions and reduce the risk of them re-offending.

A programme of subordinate legislation is now required to enable implementation of the new arrangements.