Just 72 gardaí trained for roadside drug testing

The drug driving provisions of the Road Traffic Act 2016 came into force shortly before the Easter bank holiday weekend.

The law allows for preliminary testing of oral fluid for drugs at the roadside or in a Garda station, and creates a new specific offence of driving with the presence of certain illicit drugs in the bloodstream.

However, senior gardaí have expressed concern over the fact just 72 gardaí are trained in the operation of the new machines, including 30 full-time trainers who are unlikely to be involved in roadside testing.

John Jacob, general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), said: “I understand there have been a small number of people across the organisation trained, but it’s very small in the grand scheme of things.”

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said training will be provided to all personnel who require it over the coming months.

It is expected that a majority of the Garda Traffic Corps will complete the training by May.