Safety council welcomes phone fines for motorists

There has been a broad welcome for plans to introduce fines for motorists caught using their mobile phones while driving.

Drivers will be fined €190 from mid-September and could face a prison term if they are stopped three times.

The regulations have been in place for some time but gardai were awaiting clarification on the use of radio sets by emergency services before enforcing the new laws.

Pat Costello of the National Safety Council, says the fine will have a very positive impact on road safety.

"We do feel that driving requires full time concentration, and anything which impinges on that has to be deplored and done away with."