On the 22nd June 2015, Gardaí were given new powers to arrest disqualified drivers on the spot if found driving any vehicle in a public place.
87 disqualified drivers arrested and charged since 22nd June, plus a further 30 drivers charged with multiple offences
Prison sentences imposed on 4 disqualified drivers
3 other disqualified drivers convicted to date
Gardaí charge on average 3 disqualified drivers per day (since 22nd June).
Up until this date it was not possible to arrest a disqualified driver at the time of interception- the driver would subsequently be made amenable by summons or charge at a later date. This new power enables Gardaí around the country to immediately arrest these high risk offenders, convey them to the nearest Garda station, charge them with the specific offence of driving whilst disqualified and bring them to the earliest available court sitting.
Since 22nd June 2015, 87 disqualified drivers have been intercepted, arrested and charged under these new powers. In a further 30 incidents, other offences were detected, i.e. driving whilst intoxicated, unauthorised taking of an MPV, dangerous driving, defective vehicles, no NCT, giving false names or address, which also resulted in arrests and charges for multiple offences, including driving whilst disqualified.
Many vehicles have also been seized and impounded as they were uninsured.
Of the total number of 117 disqualified drivers charged and brought before the courts, seven have been convicted and have received various penalties ranging from community service, additional disqualifications, fines, and in some instances prison sentences. The remainder are still before the courts.
Prison sentences of between three and four months have been imposed in four cases.
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau said:-
"It is totally unacceptable that drivers who have lost their licence either through the accumulation of penalty points or in court continue to drive. Since this new law to arrest disqualified drivers on the spot came into operation on the 22nd June, our members have been working hard to ensure these disqualified drivers are intercepted and removed from the roads. One Dublin Traffic Corps member has arrested two disqualified drivers. In many cases, when intercepted, other offences have been detected such as no insurance or intoxicated driving”.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, said:-
"While it is worrying that driving while disqualified is happening to such an extent, it is excellent news that so many arrests are being made by An Garda Síochána in this area. This was an issue that had been identified to me as needing attention so I commencement section 6(b) and (c) of the Road Traffic Act 2014 in June giving the Guards automatic power of arrest when they identified a driver on the roads who had a disqualified licence. In the past, those who flouted the law in this way would have been summoned to Court, which may have taken many months. The Gardaí are now able to deal with this sort of criminal activity in a much more immediate way, helping to keep our roads safer and ultimately saving lives”.
Chief Superintendent Curran continued:-
"This new law to immediately arrest and charge a disqualified driver is only in operation a short time, but already 117 drivers have been arrested and/or charged and brought before the courts. Seven have been convicted and four drivers have received prison sentences. It must also be noted that many of these disqualified drivers have many serious previous convictions, therefore by intercepting and arresting them, we are denying criminals the use of the road. An Garda Síochána will continue to seek out these disqualified high risk drivers, and in many cases active criminals, as they cannot be allowed to endanger other road users or engage in any criminal activity. The prison sentences imposed to date sends out a very clear message that should be heeded by any disqualified driver. Do not drive if you are disqualified.”
An Garda Síochána continue to work closely with stakeholders including the Courts Service, Department of Transport, Road Safety Authority and insurance companies in an effort to make the roads safer.
Notes:
A total of 117 people have been charged with driving whilst disqualified since 22nd June 2015.
87 drivers were arrested for driving whilst disqualified, and subsequently charged with that offence.
In a further 30 incidents, other offences were detected, i.e. driving whilst intoxicated, unauthorised taking of an MPV, dangerous driving, defective vehicles, no NCT, giving false names or address, and which also resulted in arrests and charges for multiple offences, including driving whilst disqualified.
Of the seven convictions, penalties ranged from a €350 euro fine, additional disqualification period from 2 to 11 years, to prison sentences from three to four months.
One member of the DMR Traffic Corps has arrested 2 disqualified drivers, still before the courts.
Many of these disqualified drivers are also active criminals. Many have multiple previous convictions. Of the four drivers handed down prison sentences, one driver had in excess of 260 previous convictions, which include possession of drugs (sale or supply x 2), dangerous driving (8 counts), unauthorised taking (10 counts), drink driving (3 counts), assaults (2), numerous theft or larceny offences, possession of knives, hit and run, numerous no insurance/ driving licence etc.
