The penalty points system for drivers will be introduced by the Minister for Transport's October deadline - but only just.
The demerits system for drivers which can eventually lead to the loss of a driver's licence, will come into operation on the morning of October 31st next, but only for speeding offences.
In a separate blow to the hopes of road safety strategists the Minister revealed yesterday that the Attorney General has advised the Government that new legislation is required to ban the use of hand held mobile phones while driving.
Announcing the October 31st start-up date yesterday, Minister Brennan said those caught speeding will be awarded two penalty points, in addition to the usual fine of €60.
Should a driver wish to go to court to contest the fine and imposition of penalty points, they may do so.
However, if they lose the case the penalty is raised from two points to four. On amassing 12 points the driver's licence is automatically revoked.
Each point remains as a demerit on driver's licence for a period of three years.
Compilation of the points is to be handled by an external data processing company from the private sector, which will advise the licensing authority when the driver's licence should be revoked.
A spokesman for the Department said yesterday that a decision on awarding the contract has been made and the company had indicated it could begin processing the points by the second week of November.
From October 31st all garda will be using modified speeding tickets to record the driver's identity and those sent out as a result of detection by speed cameras will require the car's registered owner to identify the driver.
The introduction of the system will not interfere with the Garda option to also prosecute speeding drivers for dangerous driving or driving without due care and attention.
The full list of more than 60 misdemeanours which attract penalty points is to be introduced over the coming year and will eventually include non-wearing of seat-belts, bald tyres, and traffic violations.
The Minister, Mr Brennan said speeding had been selected as it - along with alcohol consumption - was one of the most significant factors in road deaths and serious injuries.
According to the Department of Transport a number of difficulties had created a bottleneck since the penalty points system was first mooted and while these had not all been resolved, the minister was determined the system should get up and running.
The minister confirmed that the use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving is not currently illegal. However, where it leads to a lack of care and attention gardaí may prosecute under existing road traffic legislation.
