Road safety campaigners are are again warning that the new Road Traffic Bill – due to be discussed by the Dáil again today – could mean drivers involved in fatal collisions could escape being breathalysed.

Up to now, Gardai could only test a driver for alcohol at the scene of a crash if they believed that drink had been taken.

Under the new rules, testing at the scene of collisions is mandatory, but gardai can decide NOT to carry out a breath test if the surviving driver is a state of shock, trauma, or unconsciousness.

Susan Gray, the Donegal based founder and Chairperson of PARC, wants the Transport Minister to close this loophole…………