Driver in seat belt demo pays penalty

A MOTORIST pleaded guilty to driving without a seat belt yesterday but said the safety laws should be changed.

John Stack deliberately drove without a seat belt, until he was detected by gardaí, in a bid to highlight a loophole in the road traffic act.

He pleaded guilty to the offence but appealed to a judge to make a recommendation to the legislators to amend the safety belt rules.

The defendant told Carrigaline District Court that a commercial vehicle driver is exempt from prosecution if a passenger is carried in the goods compartment which is not fitted with seat belts.

Judge Uinsin MacGruairc, however, told the Crosshaven, Co Cork, driver: “It’s my function to apply the law as it exists, it’s not my function to comment or forward any views in relation to recommendations for changing the law.”

The motorist was given an on-the-spot penalty for the seat belt offence when he was stopped in Carrigaline on August 26, 2000.

Weeks earlier, 48-year-old Dublin-born Mr Stack contacted gardaí to advise them he would not be wearing a seat belt until the regulations were amended.

His main concern, he said, was children being carried in the rear of vanettes or other goods vehicles without seat belt protection.

Garda Michael Mullane told the judge that Mr Stack, on being stopped, said he was protesting about the regulations. Judge MacGruairc, imposing a 30 fine, advised the defendant the District Court was not the place to highlight his complaint. Mr Stack, from Knocknagore, said afterwards he had petitioned local TDs and the National Safety Council in relation to his concerns. “I made my point in relation to the protest and, for the past two years, have been using a seat belt. However, I will continue with the campaign to amend the law, he said.”