Seanad debates
Wednesday, 14 May 2003
Road Safety: Motion.
The reason the penalty points system works is that it deals with the individual driver. If a truck driver gets a fine, it cannot be sent to head office in Cork any more. If a high-powered executive travelling on the road to Galway gets five speeding tickets, they cannot be sent to head office to be paid. That day is gone. The points go on the individual's licence, not the company's books. This means a person will lose his or her licence once he or she gets 12 points. If a person who has lost his or her licence is caught driving, he or she could go to prison. It means a truck driver will lose his or her job. People have realised that the system is personal. It is not just a fine of €80 with which head office can deal. This is different and that is the reason it is working. Everyone needs to know that the level of enforcement is such that a person will get caught and lose his or her licence. This means a person will be in trouble socially and perhaps from an employment and family point of view.
No comments