Shot of Healy-Rae driving and on phone prompts warning to RTÉ

The Road Safety Authority has written to RTÉ and other media production companies asking them to desist from interviewing people while they are driving because it is a potential distraction.

The authority said it had done so even before concerns aired about the Kerry South TD Michael Healy-Rae who was filmed driving while he appeared to be taking notes and talking on a hand free mobile phone during an RTÉ documentary.

The programme Looking After Number 1 was aired on October 21st last. The safety concerns were first brought to the RSA before the documentary was aired.

However, the authority received complaints after the programme was aired and asked the complainants to contact the Garda National Traffic Bureau.

During the programme, Mr Healy-Rae who is on earphones while his notebook rests on the steering wheel says: “Oh God, you’re not supposed to write and drive there’s some law about that.”

He has declined to comment on the matter since.

However, the Road Safety Authority has confirmed it has passed details to the garda national traffic bureau of a film still from Looking After Number 1 programme .

“We were contacted in advance of the programme going to air by a national newspaper drawing our attention to a still of the proposed programme which showed a driver writing and with ear phones in their ears while driving. It was not clear who the driver was as the still did not show the face clearly enough.”

The authority said it passed the still onto the Garda National Traffic bureau “as there may have been a road traffic offences committed”.

Complaints after the show was aired were also referred to the garda bureau “as only the gardai can follow up and investigate such incidents, the RSA has no powers to do so.”

The authority also warned that those in office needed to lead by example when using the roads.

“Overall our position is quite clear on this matter. Those in positions of authority do have an added responsibility to lead by example and do the right thing when using the roads.”

It had “in addition” written to RTÉ and media production companies in the past asking them to be mindful of road safety when showing scenes of road users.

“In particular we have asked them to desist from interviewing drivers while they are driving as this is a potential distraction.”

The Garda has not commented on whether it is to undertake an investigation.