Employers face the prospect of being held liable for road crashes caused by their intoxicated employees as part of a fresh crackdown on drink-driving being considered.
Courts may soon be given the powers to punish employers for the actions of their staff members who are found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar revealed yesterday that he was considering placing the "onus" of responsibility on to bosses so as to "ensure employees are not under the influence of intoxicants when driving on public roads".
It is understood that the new laws will focus on employees who cause serious road accidents while under the influence of drugs or alcohol that they consumed at company-sponsored events such as Christmas parties and work outings.
Such measures, which have been implemented in other jurisdictions, may now be included in future road traffic legislation. However, a spokesman for the minister insisted that the plans were at a "very early stage".
"This issue is likely to be complex and is only at a very early stage of development," a spokesman told the Irish Independent. Mr Varadkar mooted the controversial measures during a speech at a road safety conference in Dublin yesterday.
Other proposals being considered include:
* Tightening the ban on texting while driving in order to eliminate any 'ambiguities';
* The setting up of a register of heroin addicts with the view to banning them from the road if they are unfit to drive;
* Extending the current 'alcohol' legislation to deal with all intoxicants;
* Providing for roadside testing for drugs with devices to detect a range of commonly used illegal substances at the roadside.
Mr Varadkar said he was particularly determined to tackle what he accepted was a "grey area" in the law regarding texting while driving.
Source: Niall O'Connor and Sam Griffin, Irish Independent, 21/03/14
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