Oireachtas Committee Hears Call for Mandatory Inbuilt Car Breathalysers
An Oireachtas committee heard Prof Denis Cusack advocate for mandatory inbuilt breathalysers in all vehicles to combat drink-driving, proposing a phased introduction starting with repeat offenders. He also suggested a new transport police force and noted that 211,000 cars on Irish roads are uninsured, impacting insurance costs.
Prof Denis Cusack, director of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, told the Oireachtas transport committee on Wednesday that all vehicles in the State should have inbuilt breathalysers to combat drink-driving. He proposed a phased rollout, starting with mandatory alcohol ignition interlocks for repeat offenders, which would prevent cars from starting if alcohol is detected.
Cusack noted that interlock devices are currently voluntary due to a lack of legislation. The “third phase” of his proposal involves fitting all new cars with these devices. He highlighted that internationally, alcohol contributes to about 30 percent of crashes, and last year, drink-drivers in the State were, on average, at more than three times the legal limit. He believes inbuilt breathalysers would enhance car safety and be a selling point for manufacturers.
To reduce road deaths, Cusack suggested increased roads policing and Garda visibility, despite noting that motorist testing last year reached a two-decade high. He also proposed a dedicated transport police force, «Garda Iompar na hÉireann», to cover both public transport and roads. Separately, David Fitzgerald, CEO of the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (Mibi), reported that 211,000 cars, or one in 15, on Irish roads are uninsured, contributing to higher motor insurance costs for law-abiding drivers.