Gardai are unable to prosecute drivers caught FaceTiming friends or watching videos on their phones behind the wheel due to Ireland’s road traffic laws, a senior officer confirmed yesterday.
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, who is in charge of roads policing, told a meeting of the Policing Authority that no offence was committed if motorists were watching their phones – but were not holding them. She explained motorists could only be prosecuted if they were caught holding their phones, reports the Irish Mirror.
AC Hilman said: “The offence is holding a mobile phone; what we’re seeing now is people watching, having FaceTime messages and calls, and people watching sport.
