Menu
08/12/2014
Learner Drivers Could Face Penalty Points
New penalty point offences are to take effect from today (8 December), the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has confirmed.
Under the new legislation, penalty points will include for a number of road offenses, while a further 14 offences will bring penalty points for the first time. In addition, two offences which previously involved a court appearance have now been brought within the fixed charge notice and penalty points system.
Included in the new system, are penalties for learner drivers who take to the road unaccompanied. In these cases, they will receive penalty points for the first time; similarly, they will also receive points if they fail to display an L Plate, while novice drivers to do not display an N Plate will also receive points. For each of these offences, the points will be two on payment of a fixed charge, or four on conviction in court.
For the offences where penalty points have increased include motorists who overtake dangerously, or those who fail to obey traffic lights. Offences brought within the fixed charge notice system are using a vehicle without an NCT, and parking in a dangerous position.
In these instances, the Minister has said it will now be possible to pay a fixed charge fine and receive lower penalty points than applicable on conviction in court.
Minister Donohoe said: "The fixed charge and penalty points system has played a major role in improving road safety in the years since its introduction. The adjustments and new penalty point offences target particularly dangerous on-road behaviour.
"Since the penalty points system began, there has been a dramatic fall in the numbers dying needlessly on our roads. However, 2013 showed the first increase in road fatalities for many years, and, unfortunately, we are on course for similar figures in 2014.
"The penalty points system played an important role in reducing road fatalities and improving safety from 2002 on. We need to keep up the pressure to reduce road deaths, and I am confident that the measures which I am introducing today will make an important contribution to achieving that goal."
(JP/CD)
Under the new legislation, penalty points will include for a number of road offenses, while a further 14 offences will bring penalty points for the first time. In addition, two offences which previously involved a court appearance have now been brought within the fixed charge notice and penalty points system.
Included in the new system, are penalties for learner drivers who take to the road unaccompanied. In these cases, they will receive penalty points for the first time; similarly, they will also receive points if they fail to display an L Plate, while novice drivers to do not display an N Plate will also receive points. For each of these offences, the points will be two on payment of a fixed charge, or four on conviction in court.
For the offences where penalty points have increased include motorists who overtake dangerously, or those who fail to obey traffic lights. Offences brought within the fixed charge notice system are using a vehicle without an NCT, and parking in a dangerous position.
In these instances, the Minister has said it will now be possible to pay a fixed charge fine and receive lower penalty points than applicable on conviction in court.
Minister Donohoe said: "The fixed charge and penalty points system has played a major role in improving road safety in the years since its introduction. The adjustments and new penalty point offences target particularly dangerous on-road behaviour.
"Since the penalty points system began, there has been a dramatic fall in the numbers dying needlessly on our roads. However, 2013 showed the first increase in road fatalities for many years, and, unfortunately, we are on course for similar figures in 2014.
"The penalty points system played an important role in reducing road fatalities and improving safety from 2002 on. We need to keep up the pressure to reduce road deaths, and I am confident that the measures which I am introducing today will make an important contribution to achieving that goal."
(JP/CD)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 January 2016
First Annual Report On Penalty Points System Published
The first annual report on the Penalty Points system has been published by Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald. The report has been compiled by the Independent Oversight Authority, with Judge Matthew Deery commending the "substantial compliance" found during the review.
First Annual Report On Penalty Points System Published
The first annual report on the Penalty Points system has been published by Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald. The report has been compiled by the Independent Oversight Authority, with Judge Matthew Deery commending the "substantial compliance" found during the review.
22 June 2016
Govt Approves New Summons Printing And Fixed Charge Notice Bill
The government has approved the publication of the General Scheme of a new Summons Printing and Fixed Charge Notice Bill, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, has announced.
Govt Approves New Summons Printing And Fixed Charge Notice Bill
The government has approved the publication of the General Scheme of a new Summons Printing and Fixed Charge Notice Bill, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, has announced.
03 September 2015
New CAO Points Scale Launched
The new CAO points scale which will be used for entry to higher education from 2017 has been launched. The main features of the new scale are: • It maintains the current alignment between the points awarded for achievement at Higher Level and the points awarded for achievement at Ordinary Level.
New CAO Points Scale Launched
The new CAO points scale which will be used for entry to higher education from 2017 has been launched. The main features of the new scale are: • It maintains the current alignment between the points awarded for achievement at Higher Level and the points awarded for achievement at Ordinary Level.
11 June 2012
Report Calls For Review Of Penalty Points System
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has today published new proposals for an increase in penalty points for speeding and the use of a mobile phone while driving. The review proposes a graduated range of penalty points for speeding, where higher penalty points would apply if the vehicle was travelling substantially over the speed limit.
Report Calls For Review Of Penalty Points System
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has today published new proposals for an increase in penalty points for speeding and the use of a mobile phone while driving. The review proposes a graduated range of penalty points for speeding, where higher penalty points would apply if the vehicle was travelling substantially over the speed limit.
01 August 2014
'N' Plate For New Drivers Comes Into Force Today
The new Novice plate for new drivers is to come into force today. New drivers will replace their 'L' plates with the new 'N' plates, which they will have to display for two years. Under the new law that brings in the 'N' plate, the number of penalty points before disqualification has been reduced to seven.
'N' Plate For New Drivers Comes Into Force Today
The new Novice plate for new drivers is to come into force today. New drivers will replace their 'L' plates with the new 'N' plates, which they will have to display for two years. Under the new law that brings in the 'N' plate, the number of penalty points before disqualification has been reduced to seven.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
