Drivers may finally be forced to hang up dangerous mobiles
Thursday February 24 2005
THE Government is to make another attempt to ban the use of mobile phones while driving.
New legislation is being prepared making the dangerous practice an offence, the Irish Independent learned last night.
Attempts four years ago to force drivers to turn off their phones failed after a botched set of government regulations were binned on legal advice.
Careless driving, as a result of using a mobile phone or being otherwise distracted, is an offence carrying five penalty points. But unlike the situation in other European countries, including the UK, using a phone is not an offence in itself.
The Attorney General told the Government that new legislation was needed to ban hand-held mobile phones by drivers as current regulations were open to challenge in the courts.
Junior Transport Minister Ivor Callely said yesterday that in light of the Attorney General's repeated advice within the past few weeks, a legislative framework to address the problem was being developed by his department. However, it could be 2006 before such a ban is introduced.
The legislation will address the overall regulatory questions arising from the development of in-car technologies, he said. Under this planned legislation it will become illegal to make or receive a call or text while driving. The legislation could ban some hands-free kits too but only if their use involves major distractions for drivers.
Mr Callely said there was now clear evidence the use of mobile phones by car and truck drivers was dangerous. The practice has been linked to fatal crashes and there is growing concern over its involvement in our escalating road carnage.
He said the legislation would accommodate modern technologies but would ban "anything that distracts a motorist from driving with due care and attention".
- Treacy HoganEnvironment Correspondent
