President Michael D Higgins has officially signed a new amendment of the Road Traffic Bill into law that will see stricter penalties for drink driving offenders.
Under the new laws which have been made official this week, first time offenders will receive an automatic ban if they are found guilty of drink driving.
The new laws which will also see owners punished for allowing learner drivers drive unaccompanied, faced strong opposition from TD’s within recent months.
However following strong support from the Minister for Transport Shane Ross, the new Bill was passed in the Dail before moving swiftly through the Seanad.