Brennan expands points plan

ANYONE caught driving without insurance will have five penalty points put on their licence from the beginning of June, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan said yesterday.

Driving without a seat belt will also incur penalty points by the beginning of July, he said.

The announcement came just a day after gardaí at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors passed a motion calling for the Minister to delay the introduction of further penalty points offences until a new computer system was in place.

Mr Brennan said the contract for the penalty points computer system had been awarded although the installation of the system was still 12 months away.

“I understand they are under pressure but I believe rank and file gardaí up and down the country support this,” said Mr Brennan.

“I’m not looking for war with the gardaí,” he said, adding it was crucial not to let the progress of the penalty points system slip.

The minister also announced he was negotiating a new scheme with the insurance industry which would see motorists rewarded for safe driving.

“I have agreed in principle with the insurance industry a new scheme of bonus points which would see reduced premiums for drivers who incur no penalty points over a period of 12 months,” said Mr Brennan.

“Every time you get a penalty point the insurance companies will know,” he said, adding that in the past the situation had been far from satisfactory with many drivers easily hiding drink-driving offences.

He also vowed to ensure all 15,000 drivers who have already incurred points for speeding will have the points implemented.

“If you are caught speeding you will get penalty points. Don’t be under the illusion you will escape,” he warned.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Tony Hickey played down suggestions that gardaí may refuse to process penalty points until a computerised system is up and running, saying the force would act to uphold the law.

“Any legislation will be enforced and has to be enforced by an Garda Siochana,” he said.

The issue had also been raised in meetings with Department of Justice and Department of Transport officials, he said.

However the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) expressed concern that recent developments was resulting in a return to more dangerous driving.

“The current level of road safety enforcement is inadequate,” said IIF chief executive Mark Kemp.