Mobile phone penalty points come into force today

Motorists caught chatting on a handheld mobile phone or sending text messages will pay the price from today.

An on-the-spot fine and two penalty points will be automatically imposed. This could rise to four points and a €2,000 fine if a court challenge fails.

Last month saw the lowest monthly total number of road deaths in this country since November 1999.

Labour's transport spokeswomen Roisín Shorthall said she was hoping the new measure would help clamp down on the fatalities.