Road Traffic Act 2003
What is this act about?
This law amends previous Road Traffic Acts, primarily by changing rules about preliminary breath tests for alcohol and repealing a specific section of the Road Traffic Act 2002.
Who it applies to: Persons in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place who are suspected of consuming intoxicating liquor, being involved in a collision, or committing a Road Traffic Act offence; Members of the Garda Síochána.
Deadlines:
- Refusing or failing to comply immediately with a breath test requirement is an offence, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.
At a glance
- Country
- Ireland
- Area of law
- Criminal law
- Articles
- 5
- Source
- irishstatutebook.ie
- Text retrieved
- Explanation updated
What does this act regulate?
- The obligation for certain drivers to provide a preliminary breath test.
- The procedure for Garda Síochána members to request a breath specimen.
- Penalties for refusing or failing to comply with a breath test requirement.
- The power of Garda Síochána to arrest without warrant for breath test offences.
Who does this act apply to?
- Persons in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place who are suspected of consuming intoxicating liquor, being involved in a collision, or committing a Road Traffic Act offence.
- Members of the Garda Síochána.
What are the key points?
- A Garda Síochána member can require a breath specimen from a driver suspected of consuming alcohol, being involved in a collision, or committing a road traffic offence.
- A driver may be required to provide a breath specimen on the spot, or accompany a Garda to a nearby place (including a vehicle) for the test.
- A driver can be required to wait for up to one hour for an apparatus to become available for a breath test.
- Refusing or failing to comply immediately with a breath test requirement is an offence, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 or imprisonment for up to 6 months, or both.
Criminal law
Legal text
Legal text
Road Traffic Act 2003 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2003 Road Traffic Act 2003 Road Traffic Act 2003 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 37 of 2003 ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 2003 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS Section
Section 1
Definition.
Section 2
Obligation to provide preliminary breath test.
Section 3
Amendment of section 13(1) of Act of 1994 (provision of specimen following arrest).
Section 4
Repeal.
Section 5
Short title, collective citation and commencement.
Acts Referred to Road Traffic Act 1994 1994, No. 7 Road Traffic Act 2002 2002, No. 12 Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2002 Number 37 of 2003 ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 2003 AN ACT TO AMEND PART III OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1994 AND TO REPEAL SECTION 10 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 2002. [27th November, 2003] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:
Definition.
1.—In this Act “Act of 1994” means the Road Traffic Act 1994 .
Obligation to provide preliminary breath test.
2.—The following section is substituted for section 12 of the Act of 1994: “12.—(1) This section applies to a person in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place who, in the opinion of a member of the Garda Síochána— (a) has consumed intoxicating liquor, (b) is or has, with the vehicle, been involved in a collision, or (c) is committing or has committed an offence under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2003.
Amendment of section 13(1) of Act of 1994 (provision of specimen following arrest).
3.—Section 13(1) of the Act of 1994 is amended by substituting “section 12(4)” for “section 12(3)”.
Repeal.
4.—
Section 10
of the Road Traffic Act 2002 is repealed.
Short title, collective citation and commencement.
5.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Road Traffic Act 2003.
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