A targeted mobile phone operation took place on Saturday 7th May, between 10am and 1pm.
During that time, provisional figures indicate that in excess of 110 drivers were detected holding a mobile phone whilst driving, despite advance warning of this operation being released to the public. The average daily detection rate in 2015 was 76.
An Garda Síochána wish to remind drivers that there will be more targeted operations over the coming days, and, apart from the penalties that apply, distracted driving can lead to a serious or even fatal road traffic collision. We urge all drivers to make that personal choice to put away the mobile phone and concentrate fully on their driving, for their and all other road users safety.
Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said:-
"It is very disappointing to discover that, even with advance warning, in excess of 110 drivers were found holding a mobile phone whilst driving. There is no doubt such a distraction contributes to collisions. Any distraction, not only mobile phones, can cause a momentary lapse in concentration which could lead to your vehicle veering off course, or preventing you from noticing the red traffic light or the child playing on the road. This high risk behaviour must change, to make the roads safer for all. Please be aware that more such targeted operations will be taking place, so make that choice to put the mobile away.”
Moyagh Murdock CEO, Road Safety Authority said "Your mobile phone makes you four times more likely to crash. But if you are texting you are a staggering twenty-three times more likely to be involved in a collision. When you use your mobile behind the wheel, taking your mind and eyes off the road for just a split second can destroy everything forever. We’re asking drivers to realise how their phones take their attention away from the task at hand. And having your full attention is never more important than when you have the lives of other road users in your hands. Switch off the phone, put it on silent or put it out of reach, but do whatever you need to remove the temptation to use the phone while driving.”
Garda Press Office
An Garda Síochána will conduct a targeted mobile phone operation over the coming days.
• Mobile phone operation to take place over the coming days
• Over 28,000 drivers detected holding a mobile phone whilst driving in 2015, on average 76 a day.
• Garda appeal to drivers, switch off before you drive off. No call is worth it.
Distracted driving, such as using or holding a mobile phone whilst driving is a high risk activity for all road users and as such must be addressed. Intercepting such distracted drivers will modify driver behaviour, thus making the roads safer for all road users.
All available Garda personnel, both uniform and plain clothes will participate in this targeted mobile phone enforcement operation. The aim of the operation is to detect offending motorists who hold or use a mobile phone while driving.
In 2015, there were over 28,000 people detected holding a mobile phone whilst driving, the second highest offence detected nationally. It is not uncommon to see offending motorists hold a mobile phone whilst driving, even when passing marked Garda vehicles. This display of bad driver behaviour requires continued and prolonged attention. The average daily detection rate of 76 therefore it is apparent that holding a mobile phone whilst driving remains a significant issue.
Drivers are advised 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”.
Notes to editor: The offence of holding a mobile phone whilst driving carries a fixed charge notice penalty of 3 penalty points and €80 euro fine if paid within 28 days.
It is also an offence to send or read a text from a mobile phone while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place.
Section 4 of the Regulations states:
A person shall not while driving a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place –
(a) send a text message, or
(b) read a text message,
from a mobile phone.
Definitions in Regulations:
"read a text message” includes access or open a text message (other than by voice-activation) so it can be read;
"send a text message” includes compose and type a text message, but does not include anything done without touching the mobile phone;
"text message” includes an SMS, an MMS message and an email;
