Drivers who are caught using mobiles, even if they are on a hands-free kit, could face a fine of up to €1000, instead of just penalty points. The rules, under new road safety regulations, will face a mandatory court appearance and a fine of up to €1,000 for a first offence. This fine will rise to a maximum of €2,000 for a second offence and then a possible three-month jail sentence, along with a €2,000 fine, for the third offence or more within a 12-month period. The Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar signed the new amendment to existing legislation into law yesterday. The new measures come into effect from May 1^st of this year. “There will be no option to take the points,” a department spokesman said. “There is no grace period, you go straight to court". It is already illegal to text while driving but these changes will address a loophole that allowed motorists to escape penalties if they were using a phone via a hands-free kit or if it was resting in a cradle.