Gardaí to target mobile phone drivers
By Declan Magee
Garda across the county are beginning a four-week blitz on drivers using mobile phones.
The campaign is part of a new initiative by the Donegal Road Safety Working Group (DRSWG) to eradicate the habit of holding phones while driving.
With six road deaths already this year in the county the DRSWG is looking at extending focus beyond drinking driving and speeding. Drivers are being urged to turn their mobile phones off before setting out. Drivers in Donegal have received 1,186 penalty points for holding mobile phones while driving and the offence is the second highest on Irish roads.
The new initiative will be ongoing but the first month will see garda turn their attention to drivers holding phones while driving. Drivers found holding a mobile phone face up to four penalty points and fines of up to €2,000. A disqualification of three-months is imposed on reaching six penalty points.
The DRSWG says drivers are four times more likely to have an accident while using a mobile. Donegal County Council’s road Safety Officer, Eamonn Browne, said the new initiative has a strong enforcement element to help stamp out what is a common sight. Texting is particularly dangerous, he said.
“Talking on a phone is one thing and is dangerous enough but taking or sending a message is another thing. In the next four weeks there will be a huge push around the county and the campaign will be ongoing after that. Given the start that we have had to this year with the number of fatalities we have had we are trying to make sure we are getting the right messages out and not just about speeding and drink driving but also about mobile phones.”
Donegal’s Traffic Corp Inspector, Michael Harrison, warned drivers that when they are using a mobile phone they are not concentrating on the road and they are putting other people’s lives in danger.
“It is scary when you stand at a roundabout in the town and you see the number of people driving past you using mobile phones. It appears to be prolific at the moment and it is quiet scary the number of people who are willing to put other people’s lives in danger by using a mobile phone.
“This is an attempt to get the message out to people to get them to think about their driving. Driving is a privilege and to keep that privilege you must adhere to the law.”
As part of the campaign the DRSWG will be running a 30-second radio advert on local radio stations throughout March and April.
The advice to drivers is to turn off the phones and to stop regularly on a journey to check for messages or phone calls. People who call someone who is driving are asked to tell them you will call them back or wait until they pull over.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Donegal
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
