Welcome move - Driving laws strengthened

THE move to strengthen legislation giving gardaí more powers to deal with some motoring offences is having an immediate and welcome impact. The new rules help improve road safety and restore credibility to our justice system.

Gardaí have arrested, on average, three banned drivers a day since they got new powers earlier this year. Some 117 motorists have been arrested and charged for using a vehicle while disqualified since June 22.

Driving while banned shows a contempt for our legal system and other citizens that should not be tolerated. Before the rules were changed, rules that now allow gardaí to bring the accused before the very next sitting of a local court, it was a long, drawn-out process and hardly struck fear into the hearts of potential offenders. Under the new regime, four offenders have been jailed for up to four months and a number of uninsured cars have been impounded.