Fines for road safety offences are set to double from Thursday, with speeding, mobile phone use and failure to display learner and novice plates among those due to increase.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton said the penalty for 16 road safety offences will double from midnight on Wednesday at the Road Safety Authority’s annual conference in Croke Park.
Speeding will now result in a €160 punishment and using a cell phone while driving will result in a €120 fine.
Failing to wear a seatbelt will also result in a €120 fine, as will failing to ensure that a child in the vehicle is properly restrained.
Fines relating to new drivers are also included in the measures, with learners who drive unaccompanied by a qualified person liable for a €160 fine, while driving without L or N plates will carry a €120 penalty.
Ms Naughton also revealed that three additional Fixed Charge Notices will be implemented in the next year. The new charges include €200 for misusing a disability parking permit, €80 for unlawfully parking in an electric charging station, and €200 for violating an HGV restriction by entering a specific public route without valid authorization.
“As of today there have been 122 people killed on the road, an increase of 11 on this day last year,” the junior minister said.
“Increasing fines for road offences will act as a stronger deterrent to those who choose to break our lifesaving rules of the road.”