The minister of state for transport, Jack Chambers, has signed into law the commencement order for Part 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2024.

“The signing of the ‘mandatory drug testing’ provisions into law is an important milestone in our response to the trends we are witnessing on our roads,” he said today.

“Driving under the influence is one of the four main causes of road fatalities and it is simply unacceptable. Ensuring that enforcement by An Garda Síochána is underpinned by robust road traffic legislation is a priority for me and my Department.

“Government is committed to doing all it can to reverse the really alarming trends we have seen in recent times, where fatalities have been rising year-on-year. One life lost is one too many on our roads.”

He added: “I am committed to commencing the remaining provisions of the Act in the coming period, which will further enhance our response to the trend.”

From midnight on 31 May, members of An Garda Síochána will be required to test drivers involved in serious collisions for the presence of drugs in their system. This follows the similar requirement for ‘mandatory alcohol testing’ in the same circumstances. Previously, gardaí have had a discretionary power to test for drugs.

The Department of Transport recently conveyed sanction to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to purchase an additional 10,000 “Drugwipe” test kits this year.

The Road Traffic Act 2024 (Commencement) (No.2) Order 2024 sets a maximum waiting period of 30 minutes for roadside drug testing. The 30-minute period starts after a driver has supplied an oral fluid sample for drug testing.

In addition to the introduction of mandatory drug testing, the Act also legislates for safer default speed limits on urban, national secondary and rural, local roads as well as introducing other road safety measures which will be implemented in stages.