Presentation to JOC Transport & Communications 16 April 2015 Fintan Towey - DTTaS

Overview of Bill  Drug Driving  Distracted Driving - Electronic Communications  Mutual Recognition of Disqualifications with UK  Written-off Vehicles  Employers Test Drivers for Intoxicants  Provision for a special speed limit of 20Km/Hr

Drug Driving 1  Policy – Bring into line with Drink Driving  New Offences – o Driving + presence of illicit drug(s) o Driving impaired + presence of licit drugs

Drug Driving 2  MBRS empowered to test, approve & supply devices for AGS in roadside drug testing  AGS empowered to require oral fluid specimen at roadside for testing for drugs  Provision for Mandatory Intoxicant Testing

Drug Driving 3  Requirement to provide blood specimen at Garda Station following arrest after detection of drugs/ impairment  Penalties – similar to drink driving  Higher penalties for drink + drugs

Distracted Driving  Driver distraction a major risk factor  Illegal to hold a phone while driving since 2006 (primary legislation)  Illegal to text hands-free since May 2014 (secondary legislation)  New Bill will integrate, strengthen and future-proof legislation on driver distraction due to use of electronic devices

Mutual Recognition of Disqualifications Ireland/UK  UK has withdrawn from the existing EU Convention  Bilateral agreement with UK now negotiated  Legislation needed to give effect to new agreement

Written-Off Vehicles  Create Register of Written-off Vehicles  Register Linked to NVDF  Offence to Drive Written-off Vehicle on Public Road  Enabling Power to Make Regulations

Further Measures  Responsibility on employers of drivers of buses/minibuses/HGVs to test for intoxicants  Offence of participating in unauthorised races of animal- drawn vehicles  Penalty Points – New provision relating to use of electronic devices and a minor change relating to trailers with a max weigh >3,500Kg.