The Minister for Transport missed an opportunity last week when he failed to introduce penalty points for using a mobile phone when driving, Labour Party transport spokeswoman Roisin Shortall said today.
With the August Bank Holiday weekend approaching, which is a notorious time for crashes, Ms Shortall also criticised Martin Cullen for failing to introduce fixed charges and disqualification for some drink driving offences.
The Road Traffic Act 2006 was rushed through the Oireachtas before the summer recess last month. Afterwards, Mr Cullen implemented two of its provisions: a ban on using hand-held mobile phones while driving and the introduction of random breath-testing.
Mr Cullen immediately implemented a maximum fine of €2,000 for mobile phone offences, but the sanctions of two penalty points on payment of a fixed charge and four points if convicted before a court will take effect from October.
Ms Shortall said a total of seven provisions in the Act had yet to be implemented. "Minister Cullen has given no explanation for his failure to implement these sections of the Act.
"I am now calling on him to give a commitment that they will be brought into effect and set an early date for their implementation," Ms Shortall said.