NI drivers could face RoI penalty points

Published Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Northern Ireland drivers caught speeding in the Republic could face penalty points under proposed legislation.

NI drivers could face RoI penalty points

Proposed legislation would close the loophole by the end of next year. (© Getty)

The new rules would close the loophole which has previously meant southern motorists escaped sanctions for bad driving.

A month-long public consultation on the legislation has begun, but it is anticipated the legislation would be in place in the north and south by the end of next year.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said he hoped the proposal would improve road safety.

"People will now think twice about speeding or not wearing seatbelts when they cross the border if this is introduced.

"There is no model in Europe for the mutual recognition of penalty points by two jurisdictions.

"This is groundbreaking work and, in the fullness of time, it will be a template for other members of the European Union, should they choose to follow what we do," he said.

The legislation will also clamp down on speeding, drink or drug driving and using a mobile phone while driving.

The Republic's Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said he had agreed a detailed timetable with Mr Attwood for new legislation allowing the mutual recognition of penalty points.

"The government in the Republic is very keen to get a working system in place and I welcome this ongoing co-operation from Northern Ireland," he said.

Comments

6 Comments

Realist in England wrote (92 days ago):

Mark - your comment is without foundation. Peter Robinson agrees that we should work together for the best of all the Irish people. I say that from a republican viewpoint and he says it from a unionist viewpoint. What I am suggesting is common sense. Likewise, a British Isles-wide scheme or even a EU wide scheme could be put in place. My point is that, at the moment, it is easier to apply the same penalty for the same crime in Belfast and Bristol than in Derry and Dundalk. That is rather stupid because you need a ferry to get your car between Britain and Ireland. It would make more sense to have all of Ireland operating under the same system - that says absolutely nothing about the situation in Britain or elsewhere. Unionists seem very defensive all the time. Why accept Dublin drivers driving dangerously in Belfast (or vice versa)? Why accept that a Dublin driver, say, could get two points for something in Dublin but three points (on another system) in Belfast whilst paying a £60 fine or a €1000 fine. At the moment, it's a case of get punished or get away with it and that simply doesn't add up. You are putting your own people's lives at risk over a stupid ideological desire to be different to the rest of the country.

Mark in NORTHERN IRELAND wrote (94 days ago):

Realist in England - your thinly disgused attempt at politicising driving licences will not work and where is Free State and 6 counties by the way? This is about N. Ireland and our driving licences will still be issued as UK driving licences, indeed there is talk of DVLNI in Coleraine closing and the administration of driving licences being run from the DVA in Swansea soon, so forget about your all Ireland nonsense. I see no reason however why an international agreement can't be put in place regarding issuing of penalty points for those caught breaking traffic laws in either country, be it Northern Ireland, or Republic of Ireland.

ni motorist in northern ireladn wrote (97 days ago):

I see no problem with this suggestion, but why do our government always deem they have to consult with the public. After all , we put them on the hill to Work on our behalve. This is just a step on the road to bring ALL motoring offences within the UK and Ireland together. IF your are Disqualified anywhere in the UK/Northern Ireland/Isle of Man/ Ireland, you are now disqualified in ALL Jurisdictions, so what is the problem with this suggestion about Penalty Points.

AYM in Here wrote (97 days ago):

I was in Dublin last weekend and had a few points. Points of Guinness!! Yeehar. See me. I'm a geg.

Steve in dundonald wrote (97 days ago):

Alex Attwood said he hoped the proposal would improve road safety. More like, we can get money. How about fixing our roads Mr Attwood, that would improve road safety. The state some are in at the moment is criminal. I have to take my car every year for its MOT, if it has so much as a blub out, it fails. I then have to drive on roads with standing water, pot holes, ruff surfaces, never mind the mud and muck trailed onto them from farm vehicles. The government want money and don't care about road safety! Why give fines out to bad drivers, why not 1 or 2 week bans, would this not be a fairer system than fines. You don't need to answer that as we all know its to do with the money.

More Comments

^ Top of Comments