Penalty points query

BobLoblaw77

Got rightfully done last night for answering my mobile phone in a car in Galway. No complaints at that. Garda said he noticed I was driving slowly coming up to a roundabout, then seen me yapping away and I was in the wrong lane for where I eventually turned.

I said that I was lost (which I was) and that I was looking for the exit. When I noticed it was on the first exit, I went around the roundabout to get back to it. I admitted answering the phone as the person i was meeting was calling me continuosuly, and I just answered to tell him that I would call him back in a few minutes. I just said I was stressed with being lost and that I normally wouldn't answer the phone when driving (not exactly true, hence why I have no problems with getting caught for that offence as it's my own fault). Also that I had no penalty points (which I don't).

The worry would be that the Garda would do me for more than that one offence. Just worried now that he might try and do me for being in wrong lane (although surely I did the right thing in going around the roundabout, rather than cutting across in front of another car). There is an offence "Failure to turn left when entering a roundabout" and also "Driving without reasonable consideration".
Just wondering has anyone been done with multiple offences before when you thought you were gonna get just 1?

djimi

As far as Im aware you can only get points for one offense even if you get pulled for multiple offenses (so say for example if caught on the phone while not wearing a seatbelt you would only get 2 points), but you can be fined for all offenses that occured at the time.

If the Garda thought that you were on the phone while going round a roundabout they may look to prosecute for something like dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention, but I could be wrong about that.

wonski

BobLoblaw77 wrote: »

Got rightfully done last night for answering my mobile phone in a car in Galway. No complaints at that. Garda said he noticed I was driving slowly coming up to a roundabout, then seen me yapping away and I was in the wrong lane for where I eventually turned.

I said that I was lost (which I was) and that I was looking for the exit. When I noticed it was on the first exit, I went around the roundabout to get back to it. I admitted answering the phone as the person i was meeting was calling me continuosuly, and I just answered to tell him that I would call him back in a few minutes. I just said I was stressed with being lost and that I normally wouldn't answer the phone when driving (not exactly true, hence why I have no problems with getting caught for that offence as it's my own fault). Also that I had no penalty points (which I don't).

The worry would be that the Garda would do me for more than that one offence. Just worried now that he might try and do me for being in wrong lane (although surely I did the right thing in going around the roundabout, rather than cutting across in front of another car). There is an offence "Failure to turn left when entering a roundabout" and also "Driving without reasonable consideration".
Just wondering has anyone been done with multiple offences before when you thought you were gonna get just 1?

I am pretty sure you turned left when you entered roundabout;)
You can LEGALLY take other exits...
That offence is just going wrong way on roundabout.

BobLoblaw77

Thanks Wonski.. When I read it back, i feel a little (ok.. a lot) stupid.

Thanks Djimi.I can accept the 2 points and fine for the phone violation, as I was stupid, and will learn for again. I actually hung up before I entered the roundabout, so hopefully he goes easy on me with that. I didn't get thick with him, or cheeky. I accepted I was on the phone, and just said that I was lost, and made a mistake which I wouldn't normally make. Problem is, they hear all these excuses all the time so I wouldn't blame them for not taking too much heed to them.

BobLoblaw77

Couple of quick questions. How long does the notice take to arrive in the post? And what happens if they send it to my old address and I don't get it. I told the garda that I've since moved from that address, and my license was due to be updated in a few months and I was waiting to update then.

wonski

BobLoblaw77 wrote: »

Thanks Wonski.. When I read it back, i feel a little (ok.. a lot) stupid.

I wonder how many times it happens on the road since there is specific offence written there?
But since we have people going wrong way on Motorways, nothing will surprise me.

DubTony

djimi wrote: »

As far as Im aware you can only get points for one offense even if you get pulled for multiple offenses (so say for example if caught on the phone while not wearing a seatbelt you would only get 2 points), but you can be fined for all offenses that occured at the

Taking that a step further, I've been told you can only be done for the offence for which you were stopped. So if you're stopped for speeding, my understanding is you can't be done for not wearing a seat belt at the same time. But it'll certainly be mentioned.
Seems strange, but I'm open to correction.

djimi

DubTony wrote: »

Taking that a step further, I've been told you can only be done for the offence for which you were stopped. So if you're stopped for speeding, my understanding is you can't be done for not wearing a seat belt at the same time. But it'll certainly be mentioned.
Seems strange, but I'm open to correction.

I doubt that is the case tbh. What if the stop you for speeding and you turn out to be drunk?

Stheno

djimi wrote: »

As far as Im aware you can only get points for one offense even if you get pulled for multiple offenses (so say for example if caught on the phone while not wearing a seatbelt you would only get 2 points), but you can be fined for all offenses that occured at the time.

If the Garda thought that you were on the phone while going round a roundabout they may look to prosecute for something like dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention, but I could be wrong about that.

I think you can get points for multiple offences, yesterday there was discussion on the news that learner drivers can be given points for not displaying l plates and driving unaccompanied at the one time.

Thud

got done for multiple offence before for cutting around some backed up traffic and entering a hatched box to get into a filter lane, they did me for entering a hatched box, breaking a white line and driving without without reasonable consideration they had pulled the guy infront of me for doing the same thing . you have to pay all 3 fines but only get points for whichever offence carries the most. Didn't tell me what they were doing me for at the time either, arrived in the post for 4 months later

BobLoblaw77

So realistically with this, I could get two fines, but should only get 2 penalty points? I suppose I'll find out soon enough. Totally accept that I answered the phone whilst driving, so if I get the 2 points and 60 euro fine I'll be happy enough (happy as I can be in this situation). If I get a separate fine on top of that, it will be just something I have to learn from (will do that anyway with regard to phone whilst driving even if by way of xmas miracle it's not reported).

Presumably none of ye have ever been stopped for speeding\phone use\other motoring offences, and the garda failed to report it in the end. I'm talking about something completely different to the nonsense that's going on at the moment with points being wiped off the system on purpose.

djimi

BobLoblaw77 wrote: »

Presumably none of ye have ever been stopped for speeding\phone use\other motoring offences, and the garda failed to report it in the end. I'm talking about something completely different to the nonsense that's going on at the moment with points being wiped off the system on purpose.

I got stopped while on the phone about 4 years ago and never heard any more about it.

annascott

BobLoblaw77 wrote: »

Couple of quick questions. How long does the notice take to arrive in the post? And what happens if they send it to my old address and I don't get it. I told the garda that I've since moved from that address, and my license was due to be updated in a few months and I was waiting to update then.

This: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/six-gardai-sent-to-arrest-mum-for-unpaid-fine-at-3am-3323199.html

BobLoblaw77

Seems a tad over the top. I better wait outside my old house just in case...