Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has called on the Government to enforce the existing drink-driving legislation properly instead of pursuing new measures to address the issues.
Deputy Fitzmaurice says more Gardai are required in order to adequately enforce the existing laws.
He told the Roscommon People: “If the Gardaí were given the proper resources and extra numbers to enforce the drink-driving laws that are there, there would be no need for additional measures to be introduced by Transport Minister Shane Ross.”
Deputy Fitzmaurice said he is totally opposed to anyone engaging in drink-driving but is satisfied that the current legislation “carries stiff enough sanctions.”
Emphasising the need for more policing, he said: “It is boots on the ground that will ensure that there are higher detection rates. Remember that 93% of people who are caught drink-driving are over the 80mg limit that exists at the moment, so the solution to this problem lies with extra detection,” he said.
Deputy Fitzmaurice also claimed that the poor state of rural roads contributes to the number of road accidents and accordingly, he argues, there is an onus on central government to increase Council budgets.
