This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27383267
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| NI driving laws face overhaul | NI driving laws face overhaul |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The drink-drive limit in Northern Ireland would be reduced by almost 40% under a proposed new law. | The drink-drive limit in Northern Ireland would be reduced by almost 40% under a proposed new law. |
| Stormont Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said it was the first major shake-up in the law since the alcohol limit was introduced in 1968. | Stormont Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said it was the first major shake-up in the law since the alcohol limit was introduced in 1968. |
| Under the plans, the permitted blood alcohol limit would be reduced to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - down from the current UK limit of 80mg. | Under the plans, the permitted blood alcohol limit would be reduced to 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - down from the current UK limit of 80mg. |
| It is thought the bill could become law by early next year. | It is thought the bill could become law by early next year. |
| The legislation also proposes changes for driver training and testing: | The legislation also proposes changes for driver training and testing: |
| Mr Durkan said Northern Ireland's drink-drive laws would be brought into line with Europe, including the Republic of Ireland. | Mr Durkan said Northern Ireland's drink-drive laws would be brought into line with Europe, including the Republic of Ireland. |
| "Radical measures are necessary if we are to pursue an ambition of zero road deaths," he said. | "Radical measures are necessary if we are to pursue an ambition of zero road deaths," he said. |
| "This new legislation will tackle drivers who shamelessly continue to drink and drive. | "This new legislation will tackle drivers who shamelessly continue to drink and drive. |
| "It will provide powers to radically overhaul how we train, test and protect our vulnerable new drivers. | "It will provide powers to radically overhaul how we train, test and protect our vulnerable new drivers. |
| "It will also reduce the risk to riders of quads on public roads by requiring them to wear helmets." | "It will also reduce the risk to riders of quads on public roads by requiring them to wear helmets." |
| The legislation proposes a number of other measures on drink-driving: |