Gardaí to clampdown on drivers using mobile phones

An Garda Síochána have announced they will target drivers using mobile phones over the coming days.

Announcing the operation, they warn that distracted driving, such as using or holding a mobile phone whilst driving is a high risk activity for all road users. 

All available Garda personnel, both uniform and plain clothes will participate in this targeted mobile phone enforcement operation. 

In 2015, there were over 28,000 people detected holding a mobile phone whilst driving, the second highest offence detected nationally. The average daily detection rate is 76.

They say that it is 'not uncommon' to see motorists hold a mobile phone whilst driving, even when passing marked Garda vehicles.

A garda spokesperson explained that an offence is committed when 'holding a mobile phone while driving”. This can be in the hand or supporting or cradling it with another part of the body, i.e. between the neck and shoulder. It is not a requisite that a person is actually engaged in a conversation. Similarly a person texting, or accessing the internet/ emails etc, is committing an offence if 'holding” the device as outlined above.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said today:'Distracted driving causes collisions, and using or holding a mobile phone whilst driving, is a prime example of distracted driving. We are announcing that there will be a targeted operation taking place over the next few days, but not announcing the exact dates. This is to give people an opportunity to modify their behaviour and put away that mobile phone. A mobile phone these days is a portable computer or office and there are a multitude of applications etc that can easily distract a driver whilst they should be focussing solely on driving.”

Chief Superintendent Reid continued: 'On average 76 people are detected every day for mobile phone offences. There are far more that aren’t, and every one of them is driving distracted, causing risk on the road for all road users. Our appeal, and why we are advertising this operation in advance, is for drivers to modify their driving. Switch off before you drive off...no call, text or email is that important that you risk your or someone else’s life”.