Fines relating to a total of 16 road safety offences are to double (from October 27th). The measures were announced by Minister of State of Transport, Ms Hildegarde Naughton at the Road Safety Authority’s Annual Conference in Croke Park. The theme of the conference is Tackling Speed – Risk Factors and Interventions.
The fines that are doubling include speeding from €80 to €160, mobile phone use from €60 to €120, non-wearing of seatbelts (€60 to €120) and failing to ensure that a child is properly restrained (€60 to €120).
Fines relating to offences committed by learners and novice drivers are also increasing. The fines for a learner permit holder driving a vehicle unaccompanied by a qualified person will increase from €80 to €160. The fine for novice drivers not displaying ‘L’ or ‘N’ plates (or tabards in the case of motorcyclists will double to €120.
Minister Naughton also announced that three new Fixed Charge Notices will come into force in the new year. These relate to the misuse of a disabled parking permit (€200). Illegally parking in an electric charging bay (€80) and breaching an HGV ban and entering a specified public road without a valid permit (€200).
While the fine for 16 road traffic offences will increase to either €120 or €160 as of 27 October, it should be noted that if a driver fails to pay the fine within a 28-day period it increases to €180 or €240. Fail to pay after a further 28-day period and the fine increases to €240 or €320. In addition to the fines, it is worth remembering that the choice to speed, use a mobile phone while driving or not properly restrain a child could lead to you losing your licence – if you are detected speeding you will receive 3 penalty points on your licence, if you get 12 penalty points in three years you will be disqualified for 6 months. A lower threshold of 7 points applies to learners and novice drivers.
As of 26 October 2022 there have been 123 people killed on Irish roads this is an increase of 12 fatalities compared to the same date last year.
