Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PAY THE PENALTY
Minister to bring tougher in laws against mobile use by drivers
NORTHERN Ireland road users could soon be subject to harsher penalties if found to be using a mobile phone while driving.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced she would be introducing the legislation, which would see drivers fined up to £200 and hit with six penalty points.
If found to be operating a handheld mobile device currently, motorists can face a maximum punishment of £60 and three penalty points.
The move would bring Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK.
Ms Mallon said: “As Minister for Infrastructure part of my responsibility is promoting and improving road safety. This is a responsibility I take seriously.
“That’s why today I have written to the Committee for Infrastructure outlining alongside a number of legislative priorities, my intention to legislate for increased fines and penalties for drivers using their mobile phones.
“I am proposing that increases should be in line with Great Britain – which would mean a £200 fine and six penalty points.
“This would be a first step to signal to drivers that I will be taking a zero tolerance approach to dangerous driving.
The SDLP North Belfast MLA added recent research from the Department of Infrastructure had shown one in eight people admit to using their phone to send a text while driving. The report, published last month, found more than half of people use their phone while driving.
However, the report also found more than 40% of the time this was using a hands-free device.
Ms Mallon said: “Evidence shows that using mobile devices while driving is distracting. Distraction while driving is one of the main causes of road traffic collisions on our roads.
“Many of those collisions causing serious injury and some resulting in loss of life. “It’s not acceptable that penalties for such a serious offence only carry a fine of £60 and three points. “This would be a first step to signal to drivers that I will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous driving.