Drivers escape fines for using mobiles

MORE THAN 20 per cent of motorists caught using a mobile phone while driving have not been penalised as they did not have an Irish driving licence.

A total of 97,432 fixed-charge notices were issued to people found using a mobile phone at the wheel from between September 2006, when the offence was introduced, to the end of last month, according to figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Under the Road Traffic Act 2006, motorists caught driving while holding a mobile phone are issued with a €60 fine and two penalty points.

A total of 20,494 penalty notices have been issued to people without an Irish driving licence, compared to the 19,746 notices issued to residents of Dublin in the same period.

Some 9,801 notices were issued to residents of Cork, followed by Kildare (4,451), Galway (3,999) and Meath (3,795). The fewest notices were issued to residents of Leitrim (365), Longford (601) and Monaghan (756).

The RSA said it was working with authorities in Northern Ireland and Britain to develop a system of mutual recognition for penalty points and that it hoped a Europe-wide mechanism could also be achieved.

The figures were released as the authority and An Garda Síochána appealed to motorists to take care over the bank holiday weekend.

Michael Rowand, RSA director, said mobile phones were a major source of distraction, which was a factor in as many as 30 per cent of crashes.

He said motorists were four to five times more likely to be involved in a crash when they used a mobile phone while driving, but that one in five people still admitted to doing so.

Mr Rowand said people using hands-free kits or headsets while driving were also more likely to be involved in a collision. “They are legal but evidence tells us that they are equally as dangerous as your handheld mobile phone. So the message is never use your mobile phone while driving.”

Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey said members of the force would be on the lookout for individuals using mobile phones, speeding and drink-driving over the weekend.

Mr Rowand also said the RSA would take on board comments made by Co Kerry coroner Terence Casey at an inquest into the death of four teenagers.

Mr Casey said he believed the introduction of legislation obliging drivers up to age 25 to have a speed limiter fitted in their cars would result in fewer younger people being injured in similar road traffic incidents.

“We always take any recommendation by a coroner very seriously,” he said. “I think we need to be careful that we don’t penalise young drivers who are obeying the rules of the road and behaving in a responsible manner.”

PENALTIES BY COUNTY

Fixed-charge penalty notices issued by county of residence: September 1st, 2006, to March 31st, 2010.

Carlow 1,570

Cavan 1,198

Clare 1,934

Cork 9,801

Donegal 1,240

Dublin 19,746

Galway 3,999

Kerry 2,010

Kildare 4,451

Kilkenny 2,634

Laois 1,765

Leitrim 365

Limerick County 2,251

Limerick City 769

Longford 601

Louth 1,387

Mayo 1,368

Meath 3,795

Monaghan 756

Offaly 1,552

Roscommon 915

Sligo 981

North Tipperary 1,131

South Tipperary 1,081

Waterford County 1,121

Waterford City 826

Westmeath 2,053

Wexford 2,984

Wicklow 2,654

No Irish licence 20,494