Irish drivers face spot fines and penalty points in Britain

IRISH motorists who break road traffic laws in Britain are facing on-the-spot fines, penalty points and vehicle confiscations from 2009, according to measures announced by the British government.

Foreign drivers and hauliers who flout the rules will soon run the risk of being fined and having their vehicles immobilised under road safety proposals being drawn up by British road safety minister, Jim Fitzpatrick.

Penalty points will also be issued to foreign motorists for endorsable offences. However, speeding offences will not be included under the proposed measures.

Under the plans, non-national drivers will not be able to escape punishment for a range of traffic offences, including failure to wear a seatbelt or have a proper driving licence.

Police and examiners from the UK Vehicle Operator and Services Agency (VOSA) who enforce roadworthiness standards of vehicles, will have new powers to collect on-the-spot fines from anyone without a satisfactory address in Britain from next year.

The levels of fixed penalties range from £30 to £200 (€38 to €253).

VOSA examiners will also be able to issue fixed penalty notices to lorry drivers for a range of offences, including breaking driving hours and weight and vehicle safety regulations.

They will also be able to immobilise any vehicle that has been stopped for being defective or in breach of driving hours.

“These tough new measures mean non-UK drivers who break our laws will find themselves in a similar position to UK drivers who are either issued with a fixed penalty or prosecuted in court,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.

“Our message is clear: Those who break the rules of the road will not get away with it, irrespective of whether or not they live in the UK.”

Separately, the Irish Government has reached agreement with its counterparts in Britain and the North for the mutual recognition of penalty points between the three jurisdictions.