Gardaí have admitted that it is possible for mouthwash to trigger a positive roadside breath test.
It comes as politicians in rural Ireland warned that there is “huge misunderstanding” regarding the effect of strict new drink driving legislation introduced in recent months.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Limerick Councillor Bill O’Donnell said residents are afraid to drive with any level of alcohol in their system.
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill saw the introduction of an automatic driving ban for first-time offenders – including those detected at the lowest limit of 50mg.
Rural Ireland
Cllr O’Donnell said “rural Ireland is shutting down” because many people wrongly believe the legislation means they can’t drive with even trace amounts in their system.
“A lot of this is down to misunderstanding and perhaps a lot of the problem is of our own making,” he said.
“In any event there is collateral damage there on account of the new legislation and it has definitely put the fear of god into people.”
Mouthwash
This afternoon, Gardaí said it is possible for mouthwash to trigger a roadside breath test - but said motorists should not be worried that cleaning their teeth could get them arrested.
Superintendent Eddie Golden said alcohol levels in mouthwash are “very minute” but admitted test can be triggered from time-to-time.
“When you go to the station and you go through the more rigorous controls that we have that measurement would absolutely see exactly how much alcohol is in your system,” he said.
“At that stage then – if it is just mouthwash on its own – I am very confident that that wouldn’t register as an offence within our system.”
Drink driving
He had this advice for any motorist concerned about using mouthwash.
“Read the label I suppose,” he said. “You also have mouthwashes that don’t have any alcohol in them whatsoever.
“I don’t think it is a major issue that we are seeing on the roadside.
“The major issue that we are seeing is people that are driving with excess alcohol in their systems.”
Cllr O’Donnell called on the Government to reassure the public that, provided they remain under the 50mg limit, they will not be prosecuted for drink driving.
