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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Anita McSorley

Garda checkpoints: Dozens caught breaking little-known law that carries big fine and penalty points

Gardai have been out in force in recent days, on patrol and carrying out checkpoints across the country.

Officers are on the lookout for law breakers, while enforcing intoxicated driving offences, drug detections, speed offences and other road traffic legislation.

A special 91-hour operation was put in place over the May bank holiday weekend which saw gardai mount hundreds of checkpoints.

READ MORE: Garda checkpoints: Things go from bad to worse for ‘erratic’ driver as gardai uncover litany of law breaks

Between noon on Friday, April 29 and 7am on Tuesday, April 3 more than 2,290 drivers were detected speeding and a further 146 were arrested for drink or drug driving.

On top of this, 85 people were caught using mobile phones, 60 unaccompanied learner drivers were detected and 96 vehicles were seized for insurance offences.

However, there was another little-known offence that gardai detected dozens of times.

A total of 47 people were detected for seatbelt offences.

The majority of people travelling in motor vehicles in Ireland are required to wear a seat belt or child restraint at all times.

If seat belts are fitted they must be worn by both drivers and passengers. The driver has a responsibility to ensure that passengers under 17 are suitably restrained.

Gardai are empowered by law to enforce seat belt regulations.

Unless you are exempt under the law, you are committing an offence if you do not wear a seat belt or use an appropriate car seat or booster cushion.

Penalties are fixed-charge fines and penalty points to ensure drivers comply with the law.

Garda checkpoint (stock image) (Collins Photo Agency)

You can be fined €60 if you do not wear a seat belt. You must either pay this fine within 28 days, or face an increased fine of €90 payable within 56 days of the offence.

Three penalty points will be added to your licence if you choose to pay the fine and not to go to court. However, if you are convicted in court for not wearing a seatbelt, four penalty points will be added to your licence and you will be fined €2,000.

Talking about the May bank holiday checkpoint operation, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said: "I want to reiterate our appeal to all road users to continue to take personal responsibility and play their part in keeping our roads safe.

“As can be seen from the high number of detections and arrests over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, An Garda Siochana remains committed to ensuring compliance with road traffic legislation to improve safety on our roads.”

There were three fatal collisions on Irish roads over the bank holiday weekend resulting in three deaths and two serious injuries. There were a further 23 serious collisions during the same period resulting in 20 more injuries.

Ms Hillman added: “Sadly, three families lost loved ones to road fatalities over this period. These tragedies have a devastating impact on our families and communities.”

READ MORE:Man, 20s, arrested by gardai in connection with series of knifepoint robberies in Dublin

READ MORE:Man charged in connection with fatal assault as man, 40s, dies in Kilkenny hospital

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