The Junior Transport Minister has signed a new order into law - introducing mandatory drug testing for drivers in serious crashes.
Jack Chambers says driving 'under the influence' is one of the main causes of fatalities on our roads and it simply isn't acceptable.
11 people have died on Cork roads so far this year.
He says Gardaí have been equipped with an additional 10,000 “Drugwipe” kits for roadside drug tests, and the new measures will be in place for the Bank Holiday weekend:
"We've seen very worrying trends over the last number of weeks and months, with the Gardaí detecting increased drug use and those that are using drugs and driving, which is contributing to the wider rise in fatalities and collisions that we're seeing across society. And this provision will make a difference in tackling those those that are driving recklessly on our roads who consume drugs."
