Bank holiday penalty point plans are 'anti-rural' says TD
Former minister and Fine Gael TD for Mayo Michael Ring said the plans by roads minister Jack Chambers to increase the punishment for dangerous driving on bank holidays were unconstitutional. Picture: John O'Grady
Plans for increased penalty points on bank holidays will be fought tooth and nail, a government TD says.
Former minister and Fine Gael TD for Mayo Michael Ring told the the plans by roads minister Jack Chambers to increase the punishment for dangerous driving on bank holidays were unconstitutional.
Mr Ring raised the issues at last week's Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting and said that the Road Traffic Measures Bill, which was given approval for drafting by the Government last week was "anti-rural". The Bill aims to provide for penalty point reform, mandatory drug testing at the scene of collisions, and safer speed limits.
Under the bill, powers would be granted to vary the number of penalty points during specific times when road safety risks are higher.
However, Mr Ring said he was "totally opposed" to this idea.
"The law of the land is there. There's plenty of law of there. Plenty of vans and plenty of guards. We have enough law, let's have some enforcement.
"It's anti-rural and brought in by city slickers who don't understand rural life. We don't hear about road repairs, hedge cutting or doing those things. But fine the motorists, is always the answer."
Mr Ring said that electric bikes represent a "double standard" in the government's policies.
"They're not taxed and registered. They're flying up and down and nothing is being done. It's a double standard and the easy attack is the motorist. I've no issue with clamping down on drink and drugs, but enforce the existing law."
Two more people lost their lives on Irish roads over the weekend, as the number of road deaths surged past 2022's overall figure.
A man in his 20s died after a single vehicle collision in Co Waterford on Saturday on the N29 Port Road, shortly after 10.30pm.
A woman in her 80s also died after a collision involving an articulated truck and two cars in Co. Cork on Friday.
The incident occurred on the N22 at Crookstown at around 9.30am on Friday morning.
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