Drivers who have held a licence for up to three years and learner drivers would face zero tolerance on alcohol under four law proposals tabled in parliament on Friday by DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides, with out-of-court fines of up to 500 euros and, if convicted, up to two years in prison, fines of up to 10,000 euros and a driving ban.
The proposals also set tougher penalties for people caught driving without a licence with any amount of alcohol in their system, who would face up to three years in prison, and include provisions for certain offences to be tried quickly. They have been referred to the House Transport Committee for discussion before going to the plenary for a vote.
Under the first proposal, which amends the law on out-of-court settlement of offences, newly qualified and learner drivers would face three levels of fine depending on how much alcohol is detected. A breath reading of up to 9 micrograms per 100 ml would carry a fine of 125 euros, a reading of 9 to 22 micrograms 250 euros, and a reading of 22 to 35 micrograms 500 euros. The equivalent blood alcohol limits are up to 21 mg per 100 ml, 21 to 51 mg and 51 to 81 mg.
Readings above 35 micrograms would not be eligible for an out-of-court fine and would be dealt with under the stricter provisions of the law.
Penalties on conviction
A second proposal, amending the Road Safety Law, sets five tiers of maximum penalties for newly qualified and learner drivers convicted of drink-driving. In the most serious cases, courts could impose prison, a fine and a driving ban together.
For a breath reading of up to 9 micrograms, the maximum would be 15 days in prison and a 750-euro fine, with no specific provision for a ban. A reading of 9 to 22 micrograms would carry up to one month in prison, a 1,500-euro fine and a three-month ban, and 22 to 35 micrograms up to three months, 3,000 euros and a six-month ban.
Drivers with a reading of 35 to 55 micrograms would face up to eight months in prison, a 5,000-euro fine and a 12-month ban. Above 55 micrograms, the maximum would be two years in prison, a 10,000-euro fine and a two-year ban.
Unlicensed drivers
A third proposal, amending the Driving Licence Law, sets two levels of penalty for driving without the required licence with any alcohol detected. It covers, among others, people below the minimum age for a licence in the relevant vehicle category, those with no licence or learner permit, and drivers whose licence has been suspended or revoked.
The lower level would carry up to two years in prison, a fine of up to 6,000 euros, or both. For the most serious categories of offence, the maximum would rise to three years in prison, a fine of up to 9,000 euros, or both.
Penalty points
The fourth proposal, amending the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Laws, sets penalty points for newly qualified and learner drivers found with alcohol in their system. A breath reading of up to 9 micrograms would carry one to three points, 9 to 22 micrograms three to six points, 22 to 35 micrograms four to eight points, and 35 micrograms or more five to ten points.
According to the explanatory memoranda accompanying the proposals, the aim is a single, stricter framework on alcohol for newly qualified drivers, learner drivers and people driving without the required licence, to improve road safety and reduce traffic offences and collisions.
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