The chair of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Liz O’Donnell, has called for stricter penalties for drivers caught using mobile phones behind the wheel, arguing that the practice has become dangerously “normalised” on Irish roads.
She believes tougher consequences could help deter drivers from using their phones while driving.
According to RSA observational studies, 9 per cent of drivers were seen using handheld mobile phones while on the road. However, O’Donnell suggested that the actual prevalence is likely higher.
Currently, the offence of using a handheld mobile phone while driving results in three penalty points in Ireland. O’Donnell pointed out that Northern Ireland imposes a harsher penalty of six points for the same offence, suggesting that increasing the penalty in Ireland could serve as a stronger deterrent.
O’Donnell also described the use of mobile phones while driving as “one of the killer behaviours” that significantly contributes to road crashes. She stressed that addressing this issue is crucial for improving road safety and reducing the number of accidents on Irish roads.