UK drivers don’t know that penalties for mobile use at the wheel are about to double

Comhrá

I hope our leglislators follow suit very soon.

Shane Ross please note.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2962118/two-fifths-of-uk-drivers-dont-know-penalties-for-mobile-phone-use-at-the-wheel-are-about-to-double/

mgbgt1978

A little bit of sensationalism from The Sun.
It's 39% (out of only 1,500 people who were asked) who were not aware of this change in the Law.

I'm pretty sure the results would be fairly similar here in the same situation.

GM228

Some 39 per cent did not know that the infraction will warrant six penalty points and a £200 fine from Wednesday

Is the survey saying 39% didn't know the points and fine were going up or 39% didn't know there were points and fines in the first place, it's a bit vague, but agree with previous poster you would probably find similar results anywhere for any change in law.

I wonder if such a survey was carried out in relation to my second point how many would not know (or claim not to know) that it was an offence despite media attention to the matter over the years?

CiniO

tippman1 wrote: »

I hope our leglislators follow suit very soon.

Penalties of €1000 for mobile phone use were introduced couple years ago.

I completely can't see a point in doubling them...



It's not a penalties which are a problem, but lack of enforcement - as always.
Penalty could be €10,000 and people would still use the phone if they are guaranteed not to get caught.
The same is with drink driving, speeding and other offences.

GM228

CiniO wrote: »

Penalties of €1000 for mobile phone use were introduced couple years ago.

€2000 is the max penalty.

CiniO wrote: »

I completely can't see a point in doubling them...

There will be a certain amount of deterrant in an increase, the price of the fine vs the chance of being caught though is the issue IMO.

CiniO wrote: »

IIt's not a penalties which are a problem, but lack of enforcement - as always.
Penalty could be €10,000 and people would still use the phone if they are guaranteed not to get caught.
The same is with drink driving, speeding and other offences.

But they arn't guaranteed not to be caught, people are being caught.

But a few points and a €60 fine vs a few points and say a €10,000 would make a difference in my opinion as it's the low fine coupled with the idea of not being caught that makes people take the risk. If the fine is substantial people may think twice.

Comhrá

CiniO wrote: »

Penalties of €1000 for mobile phone use were introduced couple years ago.

I completely can't see a point in doubling them...



It's not a penalties which are a problem, but lack of enforcement - as always.
Penalty could be €10,000 and people would still use the phone if they are guaranteed not to get caught.
The same is with drink driving, speeding and other offences.

As far as I recall this €1,000 penalty only pertained to texting or messaging, but the particular piece of legislation was so badly drafted, it is too difficult - if not impossible - to enforce, so for all intents and purpose, it is non-existant.

The current maximum fine for holding a phone while driving is €60 and three penalty points. Same penalty is applied regardless of whether the offender is chatting, texting or watching YouTube videos and so on.

Great legislators we have here in Ireland :rolleyes:.

GM228

tippman1 wrote: »

As far as I recall this €1,000 penalty only pertained to texting or messaging, but the particular piece of legislation was so badly drafted, it is too difficult - if not impossible - to enforce, so for all intents and purpose, it is non-existant.

The current maximum fine for holding a phone while driving is €60 and three penalty points. Same penalty is applied regardless of whether the offender is chatting, texting or watching YouTube videos and so on.

The maximum penalty for holding a phone is €2,000 upon conviction, same as sending or reading a message.

Comhrá

GM228 wrote: »

The maximum penalty for holding a phone is €2,000 upon conviction, same as sending or reading a message.

Are there any documented instances of anyone ever being fined €1000 or €2000 for being caught texting while driving or even fined over & above the usual €60 for using/holding phone while driving?

I have never seen nor read in the media of a single case of such a conviction and I would guess there are none.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/News/2014/New-penalties-for-texting-while-driving-come-into-force-on-Thursday/

30 April 2014
New penalties for texting while driving come into force on Thursday

From this Thursday motorists convicted of sending a text message or email while driving will face tough new penalties and a compulsory court appearance.

Sending a text message while driving is one of the most dangerous things that any motorist can do. Drivers who send messages while driving spend up to 400% more time with their eyes off the road. It’s lethal behaviour, even when stopped in traffic, and it’s in all our interests to put the phone away while driving.

The new penalties come into effect this Thursday, May 1st. Any motorist convicted under the regulations must attend court and face a financial penalty to be determined by the judge. There is no option to take the lesser penalty of penalty points on this offence.

The new penalties come on top of existing penalties for holding a mobile phone while driving and apply specifically to sending SMS or MMS messages and emails. They also close a loophole which may have permitted motorists to send a text message if a phone was held in a cradle within the car.

The Department will address other phone applications and the use of other electronic devices while driving when we have an all-encompassing means of identifying them within a legal framework. However, motorists are advised never to use their phones or electronic devices for any purpose while driving.

Further information

What do the new regulations do?
These regulations apply to mobile phones which are not held ie hands-free devices. ‘Text message’ in these regulations includes an SMS or MMS message, or an email. ‘MMS’ means a Multimedia Messaging Service which sends messages that include multimedia content between mobile or fixed numbers assigned in accordance with national numbering plans. ‘SMS’ means a Short Message Service text message, composed principally of alphabetical or numerical characters, capable of being sent between mobile or fixed numbers assigned in accordance with national numbering plans.

How is this new?
Legislation already in place makes it an offence to HOLD a mobile phone while driving. Before now, the legislation regarding text messages has not applied specifically to mobile phones NOT being held.

What do they not do?
They do not make it an offence to speak via a hands-free device. Nor do they make it an offence to touch a button on a hand-free device in order to answer a phone call.

What is the Penalty?
From coming into effect of the regulations, they will be subject to the general penalty under section 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, as amended. This means that cases will come to court and, if convicted, the penalty will be:

€1,000 maximum fine for a first offence
€2,000 maximum fine for a second or subsequent offence
€2,000 maximum fine and/or up to three months in prison for a third or subsequent offence within a twelve month period.

What are the implications for taxi drivers who use the HailO App?

HailO is a smartphone app which is used to notify drivers that a fare is waiting. It allows drivers to accept a fare by pushing a button, at which point the app displays details of the location for pick-up, and also offers a map of how to get there.

The new regulations therefore do not impact on the use of HailO. The Department would have concerns for anybody using a mobile phone for any purpose while driving.

A summary of the new restrictions can be downloaded from here.

For further information please contact:
DTTAS press office – 01 604 1090

soups05

I would not have a clue what the penalties are for mobile phone use here in Ireland, nor for drink driving. I simply have no need to know them as I never do either and never will. Similarly I have no clue about armed robbery etc.
There is no need to know the penalty if your not doing the crime.

GM228

tippman1 wrote: »

Are there any documented instances of anyone ever being fined €1000 or €2000 for being caught texting while driving or even fined over & above the usual €60 for using/holding phone while driving?

I have never seen nor read in the media of a single case of such a conviction and I would guess there are none.

http://www.rsa.ie/en/Utility/News/2014/New-penalties-for-texting-while-driving-come-into-force-on-Thursday/

Yes I have personally been present in the DC where drivers have received fines upto €500, but the average court imposed fine is around €150.

Fines are upto €2000, but the maximums are rarely imposed for any offence, but the important point is that they can be imposed upto €2000. The RSA article you quote about €1000 for first offence etc is incorrect also by the way, not the first time they have got things wrong.