Plans for tougher penalties on drivers caught using mobile phones
The Infrastructure Minister wants our laws to be brought in line with the rest of the UK
Drivers caught using their mobile phones could soon be hit with tougher penalties.
There's plans to double the penalty points for the offence and more than treble the current fine of £60.
It’s after a recent government survey found more than half of drivers in Northern Ireland admit to using their phones behind the wheel.
It's prompted Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to call for our laws to be brought in line with the rest of the UK.
At the minute drivers caught using their phone here face a £60 fine and 3 penalty points.
But if the laws do change - they'll have to pay £200 pounds and get 6 points on their licence.
Minister 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. Any collision caused by mobile phone usage when driving, is one too many.”
“A phone call can wait - but road safety cannot. It’s not acceptable that penalties for such a serious offence only currently carry a fine of £60 and three penalty points.”
“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 6 penalty points. This would be a first step to signal to drivers that I will be taking a zero tolerance approach to dangerous driving”