Renewed Focus on Road Safety Needed - FG

A renewed focus on road safety is needed ahead of the increase in penalty points, Fine Gael have said.

On Friday 01 August penalty points for speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seat belt or not using child restraints will increase from two points to three, provided the fixed charge is paid within the stipulated period.   For those who do not pay the fixed charge and are subsequently convicted in Court, the points will increase from four to five.

Calling for a renewed focus on safety, Fine Gael TD for Cavan/Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly, said: "In 2013, road fatality figures increased for the first time in eight years. Huge inroads have been made in the promotion of road safety in recent years so it is extremely worrying that we seem to have taken a step backwards. This year’s figures don’t make for much better reading as so far as 111 people have died on our roads and that is four more than last year.

"It is clear that as a nation we have hit a stumbling block when it comes to road safety. Thankfully there has been a huge shift in attitude towards drink driving but we need a similar change when it comes to using mobile phones.

"The job of making our roads safer involves a wide range of measures, and the penalty points system has proven to be an important component in this process.

"It is important that people take driving seriously. Every time you get behind the wheel you are taking your life and the lives of others in your hands. Speed limits are there for a reason, putting on your seat belt is as important as turning on the ignition and the car is not the place to check your Facebook status.

"These new measures will put road safety to the forefront of people’s minds and, ensure that we all Get the Point and not the Points!."

(MH/CD)