Starting Friday, everyone involved in road accidents in Ireland will undergo mandatory drug testing. This new measure, announced by the Department of Transport, aims to curb the rising number of drug-related road accidents. Previously, gardaí (police) only tested for alcohol in serious accidents, and they had discretion over whether to conduct these tests.
The Department of Transport highlighted that drug use has been a significant factor in increasing road accidents. To tackle this issue, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety has been authorized to acquire 10,000 new ‘drug wipe’ test kits. These tests, which typically provide results within eight minutes, may now take up to 30 minutes to prevent tampering and allow victims time for assistance.
Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents, noting that drunk driving remains one of the top four causes of such incidents. Alongside the new drug testing mandate, Chambers has also signed a bill to implement default speed limits on urban, national secondary, rural, and regional roads.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance road safety and detect drug-impaired drivers across the country.