<h2>CHANGES TO 2013 ROAD TRAFFIC BILL</h2>
For those of you who have a fleet of drivers, it is very easy for them to ‘Clock-Up’ penalty points. At 3 points a pop- you can easily see how quickly 12 points will be eaten away. Then the 6 month ban comes after that.
Please be aware of the new speeding points increase from 2 to 3. With all the Mobile Camera Vans placed around in very unusual places, it is easy to get caught. Many are located coming into or out of towns and cities where the speed limit is 50Kph or 60 Kph.
Remember, 70 Kph can feel like 60 Kph and you will lose 3 points for this momentary lapse in concentration.
As part of the changes to the road traffic bill 2013 Gardaí are now allowed to ask drivers to “walk the line” if they suspect they are over the legal limit. Blood samples can also be taken from unconscious drivers as part of measures introduced in the bill.
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<li>Loopholes relating to car clocking have been closed. Those found to have tampered with a car’s odometer now face three months in prison and/or a fine of €2,500.</li>
<li>Those convicted of hit and run offences now face a fine of €10,000 and/or seven years in prison. If the incident results in the death of the hit and run victim the fine increases to €20,000 and the potential prison sentence increases to 10 years.</li>
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Additional increases to penalty points for the following:
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<li>Those found to be speeding will now receive three penalty points on payment of a fixed charge and this goes up to five upon conviction.</li>
<li>Those found to be using mobile phones will now attract three penalty points on payment of fixed charge and this goes up to five on conviction.</li>
<li>Those found to be not wearing seatbelts will now receive three penalty points on payment of a fixed charge and this goes up to five upon conviction.</li>
<li>Those found not to be displaying an up to date NCT certificate will now receive two penalty points on payment of a fixed charge.</li>
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These changes all come into effect from August 1st 2014 as part of a government plan to enhance safety on Irish roads. It is hoped that the measures outlined in the bill will have a significant effect on road safety by targeting certain key areas which are within the drivers control.<img class=”aligncenter wp-image-5820 size-full” src=”https://www.gmtconnect.com/old1/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/speedlimit.jpg” alt=”Penalty Points” width=”600″ height=”400″ />
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