From today all drivers involved in serious crashes will be drug tested by Gardaí.

The measure was introduced by the Road Traffic Act 2024, following a significant increase in the number of people dying on Ireland’s roads last year. 

Minister Jack Chambers described driving under the influence as “simply unacceptable” and said mandatory testing was an “important milestone in our response to the trends we are witnessing on our roads”. 

Speaking on The Hard Shoulder, Sergeant Gavin Coleman described how a drug test works. 

“All I have to do is ask drivers to rub their tongue along these three pads three times,” he said. 

“You have the three lines that go across to indicate that the test is done properly. 

“Then any of the other lines will indicate some sort of substance that you can be positive for. 

“If you get the three lines across that means it’s a negative test - there’s nothing in your system.” 

A drug driving test.

The test identifies cannabis, cocaine, opioids and a number of other substances. 

“Just for people to be aware, one of those are opioids that can be in some over the counter prescription drugs,” Sergeant Coleman said. 

“Strong painkillers can have that - so, it’s just something to be aware of. 

“If you are taking strong painkillers that have opioids in them and your doctors tells you not to drive while on this drug, it’s very important that you heed that advice and don’t drive.” 

A Garda checkpoint. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

If the test comes back positive, then the driver is taken to a Garda station where a blood test is taken. 

“Until we get that result back from the medical bureau, it’s only a suspicion,” Sergeant Coleman said. 

“Until we get that certificate to say it’s over a certain level then [that’s when we] know an offence has been committed and we issue a summons.” 

Photo shows the testing kit to check motorists for drug use. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie

So far this year 1,294 people have been arrested for drug driving by An Garda Síochána. 

“We are out there, we are catching these people,” Sergeant Coleman said. 

“So, the main message we have today is don’t take any sort of drugs if you consider driving. 

“If you do, we are out there and expect to be arrested.” 

A person convicted of drug driving can be fined €5000 fine and/or sent to prison for up to 6 months.

Main image: A Garda at a checkpoint. Picture by: David Creedon / Alamy Live News