Seanad debates
Thursday, 24 October 2002
Crime Levels: Statements.
I understand from newspaper reports that the penalty points system will come into operation, but only in terms of speeding. This is laughable. The area in which it is really needed is drink driving, which, it seems, will be exempt, although the newspapers may be wrong. I ask the Minister for reassurance in this respect. The fact that it will apply to speeding is a nonsense because the whole policy is incoherent. In various parts of Dublin, one passes from what appears to be a motorway into another type of road, also apparently a motorway, on which the speed limit suddenly changes arbitrarily and one can be fined and receive penalty points for breaking it. My feeling is that this has been done to make money and apply points. It is unreasonable that one should not be given penalty points for being drunk out of one's skull and a danger to people when one receives them for breaking arbitrary speed limits. It is a stupid approach which needs to be reviewed.
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