Report recommends higher penalty points for speeding

Higher points for speeding and using a mobile phone are among the proposals to emerge from a government review of the penalty points system.

The Department of Transport review recommends increasing the penalty points from two to three for speeding. It also suggests consideration be given to introducing a graduated range of penalty points for speed offences, where higher penalty points would apply if the vehicle was travelling substantially over the speed limit.

In addition, the report proposes new powers for Gardaí to impound and sell uninsured cars and linking the NCT test to motor tax renewal.

As well as increasing the penalty points for 11 offences, including seatbelt offences and using a mobile while driving, the report recommend the severity of some breaches be eased. For example, it proposes removing the automatic imposition of five penalty points and a compulsory court appearance for the offences of driving a vehicle without an NCT certificate and parking in a dangerous position.

In determining its recommendations, the report compares Ireland’s penalty point system with ten other jurisdictions. It notes that this is “particularly relevant given plans to introduce mutual recognition of penalty points between Ireland and Northern Ireland”.

The Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee will now consider the proposals and any changes will be incorporated in the Road Traffic Bill 2012, which is scheduled for publication later this year.

Commenting on the review, Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said: “We often hear calls to increase penalty points for one offence or another and to introduce new offences. I want to ensure that there is coherence in the penalties which apply to offences. I also want to avoid ad-hoc adjustments which could result in disproportionate penalties being applied to individual offences. The number of penalty points incurred should be proportionate to the gravity of the offence in terms of road safety.”