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LAST UPDATE | 26 Jul 2022
THE ROAD SAFETY Authority (RSA) chairperson has said that current fines were not acting as a deterrent as fines for drivers who are caught speeding, using their phones or not wearing a seatbelt are set to double.
Minister for State Hildegarde Naughton announced this morning that the fine for speeding will rise from €80 to €160 and the fine for using a phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt will also double from €60 to €120.
RSA Chairperson Liz O’Donnell said that the current fines were not acting as a “sufficient deterrent”.
“What we were finding was that they weren’t sufficiently a deterrent and that at the 80 and 60 euro level, they weren’t acting sufficiently as a deterrent,” said O’Donnell
“They have to have to hurt people in the pocket to be meaningful.”
She added that there was “widespread disregarding” of speed limits and that action needed to be taken to prevent that.
“What we’re finding unfortunately, is that there was widespread disregarding of the speed limits.
“People were speeding and that they didn’t feel that there was any punishment that was stopping them speeding. So we had to take action.
Hildegarde Naughton said these road traffic offences put drivers, pedestrians and cyclists at risk.
“Increasing fines for these offences will act as a stronger deterrent to those who break our lifesaving rules of the road,” the Minister of State at the Department of Transport said.
The changes were announced at the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Garda mid-summer road safety appeal.
August 2021 was the worst month for road deaths in a decade with 22 deaths, the RSA said.
There has been a 42% increase in deaths so far this year – with 94 fatalities and 673 serious injuries to date in 2022.
Minister Naughton said she is “gravely concerned” about the number of deaths so far this year.
“We need to act now to stem this increase,” she said.
We are approaching August which is typically a very busy time of the year on our roads and as such a high-risk period.
“The summer is an exciting time when so many people take holidays to explore new and familiar places across Ireland, but we must remember to stay safe on the road while doing so.”
She added that August is also a busy time for road works and safety upgrades, serving as a reminder to be mindful of road workers.
O’Donnell said: “All of us have a responsibility to stop this upward trend in road crashes.
“There are too many people being killed and seriously injured and we must act to prevent more families from going through this trauma.”
The RSA will launch a new campaign to highlight the so-called speed fallacy where drivers believe speeding saves time on a journey “when in fact the time savings are miniscule, a minute or two at most on an average journey”, O’Donnell added.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Paul Hilman said gardaí will continue to enforce road traffic laws. The force is committed to “targeted enforcement and increased Garda visibility on our roads”, she said.
61 new safety camera zones came into use this morning, bringing the total number of safety camera zones to 1,373 across the country.
More than 88,000 drivers were caught speeding so far this year.
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Interesting, will America listen ?
They won’t bloody stop listening!
Why didn’t they lead the way against gm foods grown here even though majority of Europeans are against it. It got through cause an abstention automatically means a yes, WHY?
There should be more media coverage of EU decisions like this, as a member we implement the changes to n these decisions can often be far bigger than our own at home.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/gm-corn-gets-controversial-eu-ahead-202442678.html#6gTHmUF
What study determined that the ‘majority’ of Europeans are against it? I’m genuinely curious.
It has been shown time and time again that Europeans are against it, as are Irish people. Keep it out I say.
How has it been shown? You have to substantiate such claims.
I have no real opinion on the matter, myself.
Nevermind EU White fang it’s being rejected by people world wide China just rejected a shipment of GM corn other country’s are against GM
Take an hour or two to read up on this subject & Monsanto you will be shocked at the rejection it’s receiving and rightly so the stuffs not good for ye
I have heard bad things about Mosanto alright, Foxy. I’ve been meaning to do more research into GM foods though, before I form an opinion.
I just don’t think the majority out there oppose it. I’d say the most are like me, and know little about it. Which is worrying.
I think you found the problem and solution
It’s up to the people to educate themselves and others about subjects like this nobody else is going to
True, the media doesn’t seem too interested in the subject, so I guess it’s up to each individual to source information.
Here some mate. Just a bit to get started. If you do start to look further you might notice a lot of surveys that suggest there is less concern about gms but the have the pattern of surveys that have loaded questions and with leading results, no flat out questions asked. keep an eye for that buddy.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/europeans-wary-of-gmo-foods-2137817.html
Thanks Joe, that’s exactly what I was looking for!
The EU is a million times worse than the US
At least in the US they all speak the same language
Wrong Sean, every day you manage to outdo yourself. Haha.
What kind of clown are you?
Sean. You really are a complete hatstand.
The Internet is a wild animal, one minute they think they’ve got it tamed, Napster, Limewire etc
Good cop bad cop same agenda.
Nail on the head
The US probably has Hollandes phone bugged already thinking he’s a terrorist. Most of us are in their eyes.
Not a specy one
Interesting contrast between this and other recent stories on the same subject.
Derek Keating & Sean Kelly should really take note.
have your say