Too often that behaviour is drink-driving, and even more devastating still is how frequently I witness those responsible avoid justice. Currently the legal procedures around the collection of blood samples following collisions are cumbersome. At present, a garda must direct a medical professional to take a blood sample within a three-hour timeframe — a requirement which can often see drink-drivers evade detection. A further issue is the time pressure to collect a blood sample from a drink-driver. Dr Eoin Fogarty: 'Tackling drink-driving must be at the centre of Irish road safety policy.'

Source: Irish Examiner March 31, 2026 02:11 UTC