Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File photo of actor Tom O'Sullivan (left) and Assistant Garda Commissioner for Traffic John Twomey Niall Carson/PA Wire
Road Safety

Committee recommends double penalty points for drivers using phones

The Dáil committee also recommended the points systems north and south of the border should be aligned.

AN OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE reviewing the penalty points system, has recommended higher points for mobile phone use while driving.

Chairman of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Tom Hayes, TD, said the introduction of the penalty points system ten years ago made a major contribution to improving safety on Irish roads. He said:

The Minister for Transport tasked our Committee with considering carefully the recommendations of a review to the points system conducted earlier in the year. It emerged from our discussions that use of mobile phones is viewed as particularly dangerous by road users and accordingly, the Committee supports the recommended 4 penalty points for the offence.

Hayes said it was best, on balance, not to have graduated penalty points based on speeds in excess of the limit until speed limits have been reviewed.

“For instance, it appears that there is a default speed limit of 80km/h on many narrow, winding rural roads, which are often totally inappropriate,” he said.

The committee also said that in the case of less serious speeding offences, consideration might be given to lowering the lifespan of the points to two years.

Hayes said committee members also agreed that visible Garda enforcement was the single most important factor in ensuring driver vigilance and it was recommended that the points systems north and south of the border should be aligned.

However the committee suggested that penalty points should not be extended to include non-traffic offences.

What do you think about increasing penalty points for drivers using their phones? Tell us in today’s poll…

Read: Room for improvement in penalty point system>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
40
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.