Gardai have conducted a nationwide “blitz” this week, focusing on motorists using their mobile phones while driving.
The first morning of the Garda operation saw over 300 motorists stopped. Motorists are libel to a €60 euro fine and 2 penalty points on their license for the offence.
The Gardai expect to issue points to 1000 motorists over the course of the 2-day operation.
Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey of the Garda Traffic Corps says using mobiles is one of the most common offences on Irish roads and it’s getting worse.
In 2013 there were a total of 28,000 cases detected but in just the first quarter of 2014, there have been 10,000 incidents - “a 60% increase” says Twomey.
Many of us are well used to seeing people casually jabbering on a mobile while driving, one hand on the wheel, lost in another world, going around the bend at speed without due regard for safety.
It is essential for drivers to note that it’s not just speaking or texting that is an offence - even holding the phone while driving - whether in the hand or cradling it on the lap - leaves the driver liable to penalty points and a fine.
Statistics indicate that using a mobile phone increases the chances of a motorist to being involved in an accident by four-fold.
“Driving requires 100% concentration” says Twomey, “It’s as simple as that.”
While penalty points were introduced first in 2001, rules about the use of mobiles while driving only came in to play in 2006.
At that point there was a noticable decline in people using mobiles while driving as they feared retribution. However, over the years, the fear of being caught has given way and the blatant use of mobiles while driving has returned.
The Garda operation is designed to educate drivers about the hazards of mobile phone use when driving and takes place under present legislation.
If you’re penalised this week, however, consider it a friendly warning, as, under new rules starting May 1st, the penalties become much more severe.
Due to new provisions in the Road Traffic Act (2014) the consequences for drivers caught using a mobile when driving are increasing drastically. Previously, mobile phone use drew 2 penalty points and a fine (fixed charge) - that increases to 3 now. Should the incident result in a court case and conviction, the offence will be penalised at 5 points, up from 4. However, if you’re caught sending at text message or an email while driving it will result in a mandatory court appearance and a fine of up to €1,000. This does not extend to the use of an app such as Hailo, however, so taxi drivers need not worry, although it is recommended for safety reasons that they pull over when using the app.
Added to that, an increase in the penalty points for non-wearing of seatbelts and for speeding, offending motorists will be much faster to reach the threshold of 12 points before their licence is revoked.
Tweet from Gardai stopping a driver
