This article is from page 10 of the 2011-10-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
AS NEW drink driving limits come into effect, gardaí in Clare are warning that they will be out in force this bank holiday weekend.
Drink driving, speeding and non wearing of seatbelts will be the main targets as members of the Clare Garda Division traffic corps set up random checkpoints all over the county.
From this Friday, October 28, the legal blood alcohol limit will be lowered from 80 mgms of alcohol per 100 mls of blood to 50 mgms of alcohol. Those found over the new limit will be given three penalty points and an on-the-spot fine of € 200.
Those found to be over the existing limit of 80 mgms will be automatically disqualified from driving for six months and fined € 400. The option of taking a fine and points rather than going to court can only be availed of once in a three-year period.
Those who drive for a living and learner drivers will be subject to a ‘virtually zero’ limit of 20 mgms per 100mls of blood. Those caught over the limit will be disqualified for three months and fined € 200.
Experts say the only way people can guarantee not being over the new limits is not to drink and drive.
The head of the Clare Garda Division, Inspector John Galvin said the limits are “being reduced dramatically”. He said that Garda presence will be visible during the bank holiday weekend.
“Expect to see us. We will be out in force. We will have random checkpoints throughout the county. Expect to be stopped,” he said.
Inspector Galvin is advising car owners to ensure their vehicles are in good working order during the winter, when road conditions deteriorate.
“Coming into the winter is the time to get the car checked. Make sure it is mechanically sound. Check the tyres, lights and wipers. There are slippery road conditions, high winds and rain. Adjust speed accordingly. The advice for pedestrians and cyclists is to light up and keep in,” he said.
He is also advising joggers to run on footpaths and not on the roads.
So far this year, two people have been killed on the county’s roads – a driver and a pedestrian. While gardaí welcome the reduction in fatalities, they say that “it is two too many”.
“While the figures are down, we don’t want to become complacent,” said Inspector Galvin.