23 Galway drivers banned over penalty points

New figures show that over the past 10 years, a total of 90 drivers in Galway lost their driving licences for reaching the 12 penalty points mark. The numbers of people losing their licences in Galway is increasing every year with a peak of 23 in the year just gone, 2014. The figures were supplied to Galway West TD, Derek Nolan.

Nationally, 351 drivers were put off the road in 2014. The stats come as a new penalty points regime comes into force.

Transport Minister, Pascal Donohue has announced that penalty points will be increased for nine offences, and a further 14 offences will now attract penalty points for the first time.

In addition, two offences which previously involved a court appearance have now been brought within the fixed charge notice and penalty points system.

The new penalty point offences include learner permit holders driving unaccompanied or failing to display an ‘L’ plate, and failure by novice drivers to display an ‘N’ plate.

‘N’ plates are for novice drivers and must be displayed for two years after a driver passes their test.  For each of these offences, the points will be two on payment of a fixed charge or four on conviction in court.

Among the offences for which the penalty points have increased are dangerous overtaking, failure to stop a vehicle before a stop sign and failure to obey traffic lights.

The offences brought within the fixed charge notice system are using a vehicle without an NCT and parking in a dangerous position. It will now be possible to pay a fixed charge fine for these and receive lower penalty points than applicable on conviction in court.

The penalty points system was first introduced in 2002.

Galway West TD, Noel Grealish told a Galway City Joint Policing Committee that the new laws will impact on young drivers, particularly trades apprentices, travelling to work.