Transport Minister Shane Ross plans to overturn the penalty points and fines system for drink-driving introduced in October 2012, where motorists caught slightly over the limit paid a fine and had three points imposed on their licence.
Under the new rules, drivers caught with more than 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood will be hit with an automatic ban, likely to be three months. It means that one drink – a pint of beer, glass of wine or measure of spirits – would put many people over the limit.
