Andrew Carey
LIMERICK drivers, as with many more throughout the country continue to hold and use a mobile phone while driving despite a prolific public campaign highlighting the dangers associated with distractions during driving.
In a national operation held over the Easter Weekend, gardai targeted and successfully detected a number of drink drivers and others found in the commission of motoring offences.
To date, almost 10,000 drivers have been detected nationally and a percentage of those have been Limerick motorists.
Again, Gardai will target motorists using mobile phones this Thursday and Friday.
The aim of the two day campaign is to further highlight the dangers associated.
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, Garda National Traffic Bureau said: “Intercepting such distracted drivers will modify driver behaviour, thus making the roads safer for all road users.
In the first quarter of 2014, there has been a 300 per cent increase in the detection of the offence over the same period in 2013 and gardai say that it is apparent that holding a mobile phone whilst driving remains a significant issue.
Gardai will focus on the enforcement of relevant legislation over the coming two day operation where detection of using a phone will result in two penalty points and a €60 fine payable with 28 days – increasing to four penalty points and €90 euro if paid with 28-56 days.
Meantime, following the Easter weekend mandatory breath test operation, 153 drivers were arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
“We made very public the fact there would be significant enforcement activity over the Easter period, especially for drink driving- yet 153 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving from Good Friday to Easter Monday. These are selfish acts by irresponsible people, and we will continue to target those who put themselves and others at risk”.
