New penalty point offences

vetstu

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/report-govt-mulling-new-penalty-point-offences-533979.html

16 new offences planned, including one point on the spot for a faulty light.
That should have been in the first round of them anyway? Leo is also thinking about increasing points for speeding and using the phone.

zinzan

By faulty light I would hope they mean a damaged or water filled unit. Can't really expect someone who is driving to notice if their taillight bulb has blown during a trip. However there are a ridiculous number of people driving about repeatedly with blown bulbs or no brake lights who obviously never check.. Not sure how that issue could be fairly addressed.

Neilw

zinzan wrote: »

By faulty light I would hope they mean a damaged or water filled unit. Can't really expect someone who is driving to notice if their taillight bulb has blown during a trip. However there are a ridiculous number of people driving about repeatedly with blown bulbs or no brake lights who obviously never check.. Not sure how that issue could be fairly addressed.

If you carry a spare bulb and are stopped you should get the chance to change it otherwise get the penalty point.

Agree on the amount of people driving round with lights out the whole time. If you're too thick to turn on lights at dusk or poor conditions/fog there should be either a fine or points for that too.

Still, these offenses have to be enforced in the first place which I can't see happening.

Jimdagym

Neilw wrote: »

If you carry a spare bulb and are stopped you should get the chance to change it otherwise get the penalty point.

Agree on the amount of people driving round with lights out the whole time. If you're too thick to turn on lights at dusk or poor conditions/fog there should be either a fine or points for that too.

Still, these offenses have to be enforced in the first place which I can't see happening.

That doesn't really cover it. You need to remove the light units on a focus to change a bulb. The battery has to come out for the front passenger side.
Impractical, but a "produce the car to your Garda station to show the bulb was changed within a week" would be a much fairer route to take.

Neilw

Jimdagym wrote: »

That doesn't really cover it. You need to remove the light units on a focus to change a bulb. The battery has to come out for the front passenger side.
Impractical, but a "produce the car to your Garda station to show the bulb was changed within a week" would be a much fairer route to take.

Or that yes, but at least give the person a chance to fix it.

MugMugs

Neilw wrote: »

zinzan wrote: »

By faulty light I would hope they mean a damaged or water filled unit. Can't really expect someone who is driving to notice if their taillight bulb has blown during a trip. However there are a ridiculous number of people driving about repeatedly with blown bulbs or no brake lights who obviously never check.. Not sure how that issue could be fairly addressed.

If you carry a spare bulb and are stopped you should get the chance to change it otherwise get the penalty point.

Agree on the amount of people driving round with lights out the whole time. If you're too thick to turn on lights at dusk or poor conditions/fog there should be either a fine or points for that too.

Still, these offenses have to be enforced in the first place which I can't see happening.

Try change a front bulb on a Megane there buddy

Thud

it think it there's a penalty point at stake people will check their lights more ofter, it's not that hard to do, you might need someone to check brakelights but no excuse for not checking dips

Jemmy

drivers who do not have a good view through their windscreen will also be penalised

Eh are they going to be ergonomically assessing all drivers?!

and for motorcyclists who do not wear a crash helmet.

Was this not enforced already?!

furtzy

Jemmy wrote: »

Eh are they going to be ergonomically assessing all drivers?! There is not fair way of enforcing this either.

Think they mean the drivers who don't bother de-icing or clearing their windscreens before they drive off. Also the boy racers with the huge TRD type windscreen stickers

Theres zero enforcement of the current offences so don't know why they are bothering

RobAMerc

this is nonsense as there is 0 enforcement here anyway.

Jemmy

furtzy wrote: »

Think they mean the drivers who don't bother de-icing or clearing their windscreens before they drive off. Also the boy racers with the huge TRD type windscreen stickers

Theres zero enforcement of the current offences so don't know why they are bothering

So it'll be a seasonal penalty! The system over here is a joke anyway, bringing in new penalties but noone out enforcing them because of cutbacks.

furtzy

Jemmy wrote: »

So it'll be a seasonal penalty! The system over here is a joke anyway, bringing in new penalties but noone out enforcing them because of cutbacks.

Ah now remember " A boy racer is not just for Christmas"!

shawnee

MugMugs wrote: »

Try change a front bulb on a Megane there buddy

Good point , try doing it in the dark with two Garda Siochana looking at you.... changing a bulb certainly ain't what it used to be , changing a light bulb in the modern megane, bmw or indeed any modern car can be quite tricky:p

BuzzFish

More info here:
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/motorists-face-raft-of-new-points-offences-2976185.html

beertons

They can't find the tax and nct dodgers, and i never see guards out at night any more. Good luck them trying to make extra money out of it.

vetstu

Jemmy wrote: »

Quote:
drivers who do not have a good view through their windscreen will also be penalised
!

That one is to do with tinted front windows, so it says in the indo.

Jemmy

vetstu wrote: »

That one is to do with tinted front windows, so it says in the indo.

Yea guessed thanks, was only trying to make a funny!

corktina

"tightening up seat belt laws for children in commercials"

I can't think of any commercial reason why a child should be in a commercial anyway.

Owen

MugMugs wrote: »

Try change a front bulb on a Megane there buddy

Exactly! Some of the new Renaults are nearly an hours labour at the Dealer to change bulbs. The wheel has to come off, wheel arch liner too. That's not a side of the road fix.

Cicero

Two or more bulbs gone maybe...or in conjunction with something else- i.e. bulb gone AND no tax...but one bulb gone to get penalty points?

That's fierce unfair IMO...I know it would be impractical to "report to local Garda station" with light fixed to avoid penalty points but there has to be some leaway for motorists with just one light gone.

JustAddWater

Cicero wrote: »

Two or more bulbs gone maybe...or in conjunction with something else- i.e. bulb gone AND no tax...but one bulb gone to get penalty points?

That's fierce unfair IMO...I know it would be impractical to "report to local Garda station" with light fixed to avoid penalty points but there has to be some leaway for motorists with just one light gone.

I'd agree if it were the odd one or 2 cars here and there but the amount with dodgy lights is blatently obvious and downright disgraceful. They can't ALL be blown mid-trip Get yer lazy arses down to halfords and if that's still to much for you, they'll even fit it for you I am sick to death of drivers behind me over compensating by using full beams

lomb

RobAMerc wrote: »

this is nonsense as there is 0 enforcement here anyway.

I keep telling my brother to NCT his car, its 3 years overdue:rolleyes:
He gets stopped by the cops occasionally, they check his tax and sometimes his tyres(he always makes sure his tyres are good in any case) and send him on his way. Never mention anything about an NCT.

Cicero

JustAddWater wrote: »

I'd agree if it were the odd one or 2 cars here and there but the amount with dodgy lights is blatently obvious and downright disgraceful. They can't ALL be blown mid-trip Get yer lazy arses down to halfords and if that's still to much for you, they'll even fit it for you I am sick to death of drivers behind me over compensating by using full beams

Yes...there are a lot out there...but my rational is simple...if one light is gone and all else is in order..tax, nct, insurance, tyres etc,- then likelihood is, that motorist looks after their car and will see to that light urgently..cars that have multiple lights gone is a reasonable indication that the car is not roadworthy in other respects also

Dots1982

Tweeting Leo Vadakhar about the stupidity of the blown bulb issue may be a good start for anyone against it

corktina

corktina wrote: »

"tightening up seat belt laws for children in commercials"

I can't think of any commercial reason why a child should be in a commercial anyway.

What about non commercial reasons like dropping them to school etc.

Seth Brundle

Westley Hollow Sinusitis wrote: »

What about non commercial reasons like dropping them to school etc.

Non commercial vehicles require higher rates of motor tax and VRT not to mention that the insurance may not cover a commercial in non-commercial activities. Dropping brats off at school is not a commercial reason. However, it is probably put in place to allow farmers drop theirs off at school.

How does one define a "good view through their windscreen" - this reminds me of the NCT idiots and their idea of measuring the orange-ness of indicators!

snappieT

Indo article wrote:

RSA spokesman Brian Farrell said: "It is a case of once bitter, twice shy.

Not sure that's idiot RSA or yet another Indo error, but somebody is definitely an idiot.

slimjimmc

MugMugs wrote: »

Try change a front bulb on a Megane there buddy

I have, plenty of times, 10 minutes max on the MeganeII.
Not comfortable, not easy, a lot of fumbling around but definitely doable and (despite popular myth) does not require tools of any kind or removing wheels. Driver side easier.

Owen

slimjimmc wrote: »

I have, plenty of times, 10 minutes max on the MeganeII.
Not comfortable, not easy, a lot of fumbling around but definitely doable and does not require tools of any kind (despite popular myth). Driver side easier.

I think they're referring to the new models which require quite a lot of labour to even get at the light, let alone change the bulb.

Owen

You should try it on the Smart though! There's a small panel you can open, and if you have the hands of a child you can spend about 20 minutes fiddling with the lights with no ability to see what you're doing. It's like being a teenager again down the back of a disco trying to hit third base using the force to figure out what's what! Most of the time I end up just taking the whole front of the car off - 10 bolts, and the front and wings come off as a single piece.

phil1nj

Dots1982 wrote: »

Tweeting Leo Vadakhar about the stupidity of the blown bulb issue may be a good start for anyone against it

I agree 100% with this. I left work the other day with 2 working headlights, only one was working by the time I got home (I noticed the change in lighting when pulling in to the drive). Do these new rules mean that I could have been liable for a penalty point if stopped despite my car having a valid NCT, being taxed, insured and otherwise roadworthy?

Luckily enough I can change my own bulbs with a minimum of hassle (05 Passat) but this sounds like a change that needs futher explanation by the good minister.

Jimdagym

slimjimmc wrote: »

I have, plenty of times, 10 minutes max on the MeganeII.
Not comfortable, not easy, a lot of fumbling around but definitely doable and (despite popular myth) does not require tools of any kind or removing wheels. Driver side easier.

If it is taking you 10 minutes to change a bulb on a megane II, it would take you most of winter to change one on a megane III or IV.

mcwhirter

vetstu wrote: »

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/report-govt-mulling-new-penalty-point-offences-533979.html

16 new offences planned, including one point on the spot for a faulty light.
That should have been in the first round of them anyway? Leo is also thinking about increasing points for speeding and using the phone.

Bit unfair for on the spot fine for a faulty light. I've been stopped in britain before for this and they give you 14 days to get sorted and you need to bring a stamped form to the police station from a garage to prove light has been fixed.

tayto lover

I am all for road safety and keeping speed and dangerous driving down BUT these measures are only for generating fines to help the economy. They cannot be serious about these measure and safety while they are running down the Garda Traffic Corps at the same time.

Jimdagym

mcwhirter wrote: »

Bit unfair for on the spot fine for a faulty light. I've been stopped in britain before for this and they give you 14 days to get sorted and you need to bring a stamped form to the police station from a garage to prove light has been fixed.

Can you fix the bulb yourself nd just get the garage to stamp a form? Does the garage charge for the stamp?

mcwhirter

Jimdagym wrote: »

Can you fix the bulb yourself nd just get the garage to stamp a form? Does the garage charge for the stamp?

I'd say that is possible, and just get them to check it works. I was only charged 2 quid!, most garages should do it for nothing as it only takes seconds.

Seth Brundle

Jimdagym wrote: »

Can you fix the bulb yourself nd just get the garage to stamp a form? Does the garage charge for the stamp?

Before you start getting worried, maybe wait and see what exactly the proposed rule exactly will be

TestTransmission

kbannon wrote: »

Before you start getting worried, maybe wait and see what exactly the proposed rule exactly will be

I think this is the best idea

Pataman

corktina wrote: »

"tightening up seat belt laws for children in commercials"

Kids will have to wear seatbelts on TV??:eek:

Jimdagym

kbannon wrote: »

Before you start getting worried, maybe wait and see what exactly the proposed rule exactly will be

Lol, not worried, just curious how that system worked.

puppetmaster

I agree that they shouldn't give an on the spot fine for a light that has just blown on the journey, But lets be honest whats the lightlyhood of being stopped within the hour of your bulb blowing? you should have to produce the car at a Garda station.

There are a huge amount of cars going around with one headlight, I counted 9 in town the other day on a 5 minute drive to the shop and back. It is also much more dangerous to be travelling at night on a road @ 100kph with one headlamp working Wheather the reduction in your visability or the reduction in your car being visable its Asking for trouble. And many people dont see it as a priority to change it. There is no penalty for doing this, yet someone who has been a month late in paying the Government €500+ on their tax will get fined and if left longer could face confiscation of the vehicle. How is this focused on safety?

Im far from a supporter of making up nanny laws to create revenue, But some are blatently obvious.

Del2005

Just seen a car this evening with 2 bright lights, on the offside. Nearside was totally dark.

They should just make in compulsory to carry spare bulbs. Get stopped with a light out and no spare, penalty points. If your carrying bulbs get a 4 day producer at a Garda station of your choice, 2 weeks is too long for cyclops cars

The EU should make it law that a bulb can be changed at the side of a road, their quick enough to meddle with stuff that has no benefit to the motoring public this would be of benefit.

jimmynokia

Scraping the barrell here to create cash
I heard on the new there will be a dirty window fine ffs wake up leo,and as for the bulbs they can go any time cop, the fcuk on varadkar

Absurdum

This is the usual bull****, be seen to be doing something rather than addressing the chronic lack of enforcement of basic road safety laws.

Regarding the headlight thing, how about if someone is stopped, the incident is logged by the Garda and if they are stopped again with the same light not working within a certain period (say 72 hours?), they receive a fine and/or a point.

bigroad

There is a lot of cars ,van, and jeeps with blown indicator bulbs.for some reason front and back on the same side seem to blow at the same time.

Guy:Incognito

Owen wrote: »

I think they're referring to the new models which require quite a lot of labour to even get at the light, let alone change the bulb.

Nope. The Megane II is the one that started all this nonsense of peopel reckoning it take an hour and half the car has to come apart. Hence that 5th gear video with the AA "expert".

It's a fiddly job yes, but nothign that cant be done as described by SlimmJimc.

Jimdagym wrote: »

If it is taking you 10 minutes to change a bulb on a megane II, it would take you most of winter to change one on a megane III or IV.

A Megane IV? We are already assuming it will take ages in a future car?:)

Absurdum wrote: »

Regarding the headlight thing, how about if someone is stopped, the incident is logged by the Garda and if they are stopped again with the same light not working within a certain period (say 72 hours?), they receive a fine and/or a point.

72 days maybe, but the chances of anyone being stopped for a blown light once at any time are slim. Nevermind twice in 72 hours.

jimmynokia wrote: »

and as for the bulbs they can go any time cop, the fcuk on varadkar

and if you keep spares in the car you can fix them anytime.

Why is the attitude here always one to give out. Why not just have a solution ready and it will never affect you. Not to mention the added bonus (a bonus in Ireland rather than an accepable norm) of having all your lights working.

robbie_998

faulty lightbulb ?

hello fiat punto :pac:

ScouseMouse

corktina wrote: »

"tightening up seat belt laws for children in commercials"

I can't think of any commercial reason why a child should be in a commercial anyway.

I sometimes take my 8 year old to work with me in my commercial. There's one.

Anyone know what they are getting at on this one about children in commercials?

SAHMOM

Jimdagym wrote: »

That doesn't really cover it. You need to remove the light units on a focus to change a bulb. The battery has to come out for the front passenger side.
Impractical, but a "produce the car to your Garda station to show the bulb was changed within a week" would be a much fairer route to take.

So agree with above....for small things like bulbs blown while on a trip when you mightn't have noticed there should be a time period to correct it....Am I right on saying you'll also get points if your windscreen isn't clean???? My water ran out today and didn't get a chance to fill it till I got home!!!

scotty1

Jemmy;Eh are they going to be ergonomically assessing all drivers?!



Was this not enforced already?

I have great respect for the bigger bike owners of which I had one myself a long time ago they take great pride in their machines and keep within the law its some of the smaller powered ones who need some road manners I will include pedal power also. So Jemmy I hope you are correct on this one.:(

maxer68

I can't see why so many people were getting worked up on this today.

Gardai are human. If you have manners, are decent, and your car is in good nick, they will ahrdly give you a ticket for one bronken light if you assure them you'll fix it next day.

If you are pig ignorant, don't give a toss and your car is already in bits, then they should give you points as you are a danger to other road users.

Also, the reason why there are so few checkpoints these days is becasue over 140 garda traffic cars are fitted with technology that reads 5 number plates a second and gives them immediate info on insurance, tax & nct.

As a good few people just before Rathcoole found out yesterday morning in a blitz on the N7 - load of cars & vans towed away leaving motorists standing.