Two drivers face prosecution under new legislation after weekend clampdown

FIVE drivers face possible driving bans following the Bank Holiday weekend during which Kerry Gardaí were out in force in a bid to clamp down on spiralling drink driving incidents in the county.

The traditional Bank Holiday road traffic campaign was the first to be carried on under new drink-driving legislation, which came into effect at 12pm on Thursday night. The stricter new legislation introduced by Transport Minister Shane Ross after months of opposition in the Dáil effectively reduces the breathalyser limit from 80 to 50mcg.

Danny and Michael Healy Rae were among the rural TDs vehemently opposed to the new legislation.

Two of the five suspected drink drivers arrested over the weekend face court appearances and driving disqualifications under the new legislation. These drivers would have been subjected to penalty points and a fine under the old legislation.

The five detections in Kerry were across the county – with two in Killarney, two in Tralee District and one in Cahersiveen. One of the five drivers was a drug driving detection.

Inspector Tony Sugrue of the Kerry Divisional Traffic Corp said that drink driving figures in Kerry remain high.

“They are slightly up on the previous year. The message is not getting through. Under the new legislation the penalties for drink-driving are harsher with all drivers now facing a disqualification from driving. It is very disappointing that people are not listening,” he said.