[WATCH] Up to €3,000 fines and prison term for drivers caught drink-driving announced

Harsher penalties for drivers caught drink driving announced

New amendments to the traffic legislation are focused on fostering a greater sense of responsibility in drivers, with particular emphasis on drink-driving, Minister Owen Bonnici said on Monday.

The reforms will see harsher penalties introduced for people caught driving while under the influence of alcohol, with first offenders now facing a €1,800 fine (up from €1,200) and up to six months imprisonment (instead of three months).

Multiple offenders will be liable to a €3,000 fine and up to a year’s imprisonment.

Bonnici explained that the new amendments would also give the courts the right to place convicted persons under probation and to order that they attend rehabilitation programmes at their own cost.

He said that new alcohol consumption limits would also be introduced, with the limit for private cars going down from an EU-maximumo of 0.8g of alcohol content per litre of blood to 0.5g/ltr, and down to 0g/ltr in the case of taxi drivers and other public transportation.

Bonnici said that local wardens will be able, if reasonably suspicious, to stop drivers and have them take a breathalyser test on the spot, before calling in the police in cases of drivers found to be above the new alcohol limits.

Heftier fines are also being introduced for cars driven without insurance or road license.

The minister said that the point system will be expanded to cover all drivers, but will only affect major infractions.

Drivers will lose accumulated points after 12 months, and the driving license will still be withdrawn on reaching  12 points.

Bonnici said that the Transport Authority will be organising a number of courses for people with points deducted on their license.

On successful completion of the courses, the deducted points will be halved, he said.

The minister said the new amendments would be introduced in a first reading in parliament Monday evening.