Motorists continue to drive while using mobile phones
Close the penalty points loopholes, says road safety campaigner
Inishowen road safety campaigner Susan Gray has called on the courts to ensure that the penalty points system is implemented properly and that legal loopholes are closed.
Her comments come as new research reveals that a significant number of motorists are violating the mobile phone regulations.
Research by motoring solutions specialists, easytrip, has revealed that more than 10 per cent of drivers are continuing to put their lives, and others, at risk by using their hand-held phones whilst driving.
From last Friday, August 1st, penalty points for holding a mobile phone while driving increased from 2 to 3 points, with a fixed-charge of €60 that can lead to a possible €2,000 fine on conviction.
The latest mobile phone research, which involved monitoring more than 1,000 vehicles during peak commute times, produced some alarming findings.
Of the 10 per cent of motorists who were observed breaking the law in relation to mobile phone use some 53 per cent were texting or checking their mobile phone while driving or stationary at traffic lights and 48 per cent were speaking on their hand-held phone whilst driving or waiting in traffic.
The research showed there was a clear distinction between male and female drivers’ habits in the sample monitored, with males (63%) twice as likely as females (37%) to break the law.
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