The 2010 Road Traffic Act provides for -

• The reduction from 80 mg of alcohol (per 100 ml of blood) to 20 mg for learner, novice and professional drivers;
• The reduction from 80 mg of alcohol (per 100 ml of blood) to 50 mg for other drivers;
• The mandatory testing of drivers involved in collisions resulting in injury;
• The introduction of administrative fixed penalties for certain drink driving offences (i.e. learner, novice and professional drivers at BAC levels of 20 - 80 mg; other drivers at BAC levels of 50 - 80 mg and 80 - 100 mg);
• The introduction of Preliminary Impairment Testing (such as co-ordination tests) to assist Gardaí in forming an opinion as to whether a driver is under the influence of an intoxicant (drink or drugs);
• Amendments to the fixed charge and penalty point provisions, to provide for the option of payment of a fixed charge on receipt of a summons for the offence; to set out certain presumptions in relation to the delivery of fixed charge notices; and to improve certain matters relating to the endorsement of penalty points on driver records
• Amendments to the driving licence provisions, to ensure that penalty points and disqualifications can be applied to non-national driving licences, and to give the Gardaí powers to seize a licence where the driver has been disqualified or where the licence has been fraudulently obtained or is forged or altered;
• Amendments to the provisions and penalties in relation to disqualifications and restates, with amendments, certain driving offences, including inconsiderate, careless and dangerous driving.

The 2010 Act also restates existing provisions on intoxicated driving, consequential disqualifications and fixed charge offences, in a consolidated and clearer format, and includes a number of minor amendments to the Road Traffic Acts.

The Road Traffic Act 2010 is available in the attachments below.