Varadkar: Using a phone while driving 'extremely dangerous'

The Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is proposing an increase in penalty points for driving while on a mobile phone and for not wearing a seatbelt.

Mr Varadkar said the new points system should come into effect early next year following the publication of a new Road Safety Bill in the coming months.

Currently, motorists receive two points for driving while on the phone and two for failure to wear a seatbelt, if they opt not to go to court for the offence.

Minister Varadkar said he will also propose an increase in points for speeding, but that will only take place after a speed limit review around the country.

He said driving without a seatbelt or while on the phone is potentially fatal.

Mr Varadkar said: "There is still maybe 10% of people that don’t wear a seatbelt and don't make sure that other people wear one.

"When it comes to mobile phones, it is extremely dangerous, extremely distracting, and you really have to just walk down the street to see the number of people who think it is totally appropriate to send text messages or answer the phone while they are driving.

"It is as dangerous as reading a book while you are driving and nobody would do that."

The tougher sanctions follow a raft of recommendations from the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

Its Chairman, Deputy Tom Hayes, said the safe and simple solution for motorists is to get a handsfree system for their car.

Mr Hayes said: "That can be fitted into every car, truck and van and there is no reason why it can’t be used and it is within the law.

"You see it every day, people driving and using a mobile phone, if they had a hands-free, and they come with bluetooth now rather cheaply, the reality is that it is not and could not be seen as a tariff against drivers."