Road Traffic Act 2016

Amendment of Act of 2010 - obligation to provide specimens in relation to certain offences involving drugs

13. The Act of 2010 is amended by inserting after section 13 the following:

“Obligation to provide oral fluid specimen following arrest under Part 2

13A. (1) Where a person is arrested under section 4(8), 5(10), 9(4), 10(7) or 11(5) of this Act or section 52(3), 53(5), 106(3A) or 112(6) of the Principal Act and a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that the person had, at the time of the alleged offence, consumed drugs the member may, at a Garda Síochána station or hospital, require the person to provide a specimen of oral fluid from his or her mouth, using an apparatus for indicating the presence of drugs in oral fluid, in the manner indicated by the member.

(2) A person who refuses or fails to comply immediately with a requirement of a member of the Garda Síochána under this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(3) In a prosecution for an offence under this Part it shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown, that an apparatus provided by a member of the Garda Síochána for the purpose of enabling a person to provide an oral fluid specimen under this section is an apparatus for indicating the presence of drugs in oral fluid.

(4) Section 1 (1) of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 does not apply to an offence under this section.

Obligation to provide blood specimen where suspected of certain offences involving drugs

13B. (1) Where a person is arrested under section 4(8), 5(10), 9(4), 10(7) or 11(5) of this Act or section 52(3), 53(5), 106(3A) or 112(6) of the Principal Act and a member of the Garda Síochána, having carried out—

(a) a preliminary oral fluid test under section 9(2A) or 10(4),

(b) impairment tests under section 11, or

(c) an oral fluid test under section 13A,

is of the opinion that the person has committed an offence under section 4 consisting of a contravention of subsection (1A) of that section or an offence under section 5(1A) the member may, at a Garda Síochána station or hospital, require the person to permit a designated doctor or designated nurse to take from the person a specimen of his or her blood.

(2) Subject to section 22, a person who, following a requirement under subsection (1) —

(a) refuses or fails to comply with the requirement, or

(b) refuses or fails to comply with a requirement of a designated doctor or designated nurse in relation to the taking of a specimen of blood under that subsection,

commits an offence.

(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a class A fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

(4) Section 1 (1) of the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 does not apply to an offence under this section.”.