Clocking Up: New Penalty Points For Texting Behind Wheel, ‘L’ Drivers And Seatbelts

For some, it’s a habit, the phone comes out as soon as they belt up.

But now, drivers who text behind the wheel will soon be hit with three penalty points.

The Cabinet yesterday signed off provisions on a new Bill that targets letting your fingers do the walking while motoring.

Penalty points for general mobile phone use will also rise from two to three.

The new Bill will include a Graduated Driver Licensing system. The suggested changes will affect newly qualified drivers who will have to display N for novice plates for two years after their test.

On top of this, Learner and novice drivers will be allowed clock up just six points before they are put off the road.

The current threshold allowed for qualified drivers is 12 points.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said he hopes to bring the Bill before the Oireachtas early next year.

He said: “Ireland has made huge strides in reducing road deaths, under successive governments.

“However, we can never become complacent about road safety.

“My department is also bringing forward a range of other long-term measures in the Road Traffic Bill 2012.

“Ireland is currently ranked sixth in the EU for road safety. I want us to become the safest country in Europe.”

You won't be smiling with these new points missus!

And if you’ve got the L plate up? New rules mean that if you aren’t accompanied by a qualified driver, you’ll be handed two points, rising to four on conviction in court.

Failure to display L or N plates will also result in two points, while failure to wear a seatbelt will soon become a three-point penalty.

Speeding will also rise from two to three points, contingent on the review on speed limits.

The points could be clocking up fast soon…