Motorists will be liable for penalty points for seatbelt offences from today, following the latest extension of the penalty points system.
Under the extended legislation, which took effect from midnight, drivers will be liable for a maximum of four penalty points if they do not wear their seatbelt or if they allow a person under 17 to travel unrestrained in a vehicle.
This will also apply in the case of children under four who are not suitably restrained.
"You should always wear a seatbelt, even on short journeys," said a Garda spokesman last night. "The law is crystal-clear that you have to wear seatbelts, and you are foolish if you do not.
"We regularly remind people with our road safety operations that they should not drink and drive, not to speed, and to always wear a seatbelt, " he said.
"This is something we have been fairly strict about for quite a few years now.
"While drivers will not be responsible for the compliance of a passenger aged 17 years or older, the present on-the-spot fine of €25 or prosecution in court will continue to apply to any passenger aged 17 or over who does not wear a safety belt while being driven in a vehicle in a public place."
The extension of the penalty points system is being timed to coincide with the return of children to school after the summer holidays.
According to the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, it is a time when many children will be driven to school in their parents' vehicles.
Under the new rules, offenders who accept a fixed charge of €60 (up from €25) when stopped by gardaí will have two penalty points imposed on their licence.
If they decide to contest the matter in court, they face a maximum fine of €800 and four penalty points on conviction.
Motorists accumulating 12 penalty points on their driving-licence record within three years face a six-month disqualification.
The move to include seatbelt offences in the penalty-points system is part of a wider plan to introduce other offences deemed likely to have a negative impact on road safety.
A total of 69 offences, including running of a red light, non-compliance with Stop and Yield signs and offences relating to vehicle safety and driver licensing, will eventually be covered.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport confirmed yesterday that the Minister has set a date of mid-2004 for the system to be fully operational.
A survey of seatbelt-wearing carried out by the National Roads Authority (NRA) in 2002 showed that the overall wearing rates of drivers and front passengers had increased.
"While it is encouraging, the wearing rate is well below the level at which we would see significant road safety benefits," the Minister said.
"The wearing rate for rear seat passengers, estimated at no more than 20 per cent, was a source of particular concern, especially as children are generally carried in rear seats."