The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) today welcomed the granting of new powers to An Garda Síochána to test drivers for the presence of alcohol at the scene of road traffic collisions.

Niall Doyle, Corporate Affairs Manager, IIF said, ‘Even though the number of fatalities on Irish roads is down on this time last year, we know that a high percentage of road deaths are alcohol related. Giving the Gardai these additional powers will not only deter drivers from ‘drink driving’ but will also allow for the gathering of vital information on the causes of road traffic injury accidents.

Mr Doyle said, ‘Drink driving, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt were the scourge of road safety over the last decade. We now have the appropriate laws in place following several pieces of new Road Traffic Legislation and our hope is that they will be enforced.”