By law foul-up hand speeding motorists reprieve
700 speeding motorists got an early Christmas present when they saw their convictions overturned due to an administrative error which rendered the relevant by-law redundant.
Too much emphasis by Gardai on traffic laws - survey
A new official poll of the general public has found that people feel that gardai place too much emphasis on the enforcement of traffic laws.
Calls to scrap payment for crash forms
The Garda Commissioner has been urged to drop the fees for the release of documents relating to fatal road traffic accidents by families of those affected.
Trucker to get reprieve
A trucker who was banned from driving after he received 12 penalty points has begun a legal challenge over the delay in imposing two of the points.
Trucker receives jail sentence
A lorry driver has been handed an 18-month jail sentence after he was caught smuggling €1.3 million worth of cigarettes in the back of his truck into the country.
Police raid illegal fuel dump
A raid on an illegal fuel dump in west Belfast resulted in the arrest of a man and a woman, while a substantial amount of money and fuel were confiscated.
Truck driver in court
A truck driver that is alleged to have caused the death of two women in a fatal traffic accident in Co Kilkenny has appeared in court on charges of dangerous driving.
M50 tag errors
The amount of motorists being wrongly charged for using the M50 motorway has resulted in meltdown of the helpline put in place to deal with complaints.
Taxi fares set to rise
Following a review by the Taxi Regulator, fare prices are set to rise by as much as eight percent from next November, which will annoy many customers.
More motorways on way
From tomorrow (Wednesday, September 24th), five existing routes will be upgraded to motorways leaving thousands of commuters having to look for an alternative route to travel.
Speeding traps on the move
The newest strategy in the fight against speeding on the roads has been launched today (Monday) as mobile speed detection vehicles are to begin operating.
Learner drivers haven’t learned
Since the new regulations for learner drivers have been introduced, 1,400 have been caught driving unaccompanied according to figures released by the gardai.
Toll billing system comes under fire
The system used to bill motorists using the M50 toll bridge has been heavily criticised after it was alleged that some people that hadn’t even used the motorway were being billed for doing so.
Twelve-year-old girl put on curfew
The 12-year-old girl caught speeding in a Hiace van around Limerick city in the early hours of Monday morning has been placed on curfew by a judge at a sitting of the juvenile court on Tuesday morning.
Trucker released without charge
A lorry driver has been released without charge after he was questioned over the seizure of illegal cigarettes believed to be worth in the region of €2 million.
Gardai step up rogue hauliers clampdown
The Gardai has lived up to their word as a major operation has begun to seek out hauliers that are using illegal fuel in their trucks following a number of checkpoints around the country in the last few days.
Hauliers to meet Minister
For the second time in a fortnight hauliers are to meet with Minster for the Department of the Transport Noel Dempsey to discuss proposals to help them cope with the rising cost of fuel.
Boy struck by van receives settlement
A boy who suffered severe injuries to his body when he was struck by a van over ten years ago has received a settlement of €250,000 from the High Court.
Freight company director handed disqualification
At the High Court yesterday, a freight company director was disqualified from having any involvement with the management of any business for the next five years.
Cross border points system unlikely
Despite the British, Northern and Republic of Ireland Governments sitting down and discussing a cross border penalty points system, it is unlikely to happen for a number of years at least.
Disqualified drivers to face widespread ban
The subject of disqualified drivers being banned in other countries will be discussed today as Government officials from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain meet.
Clampdown on speeding in Port Tunnel
Dublin’s Port Tunnel will have speed cameras installed over the coming weeks as a joint venture by the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Gardai is being set up to detect speeding vehicles through the 4.5km route.
Gardai to go easy on L-drivers
Head of the Garda Traffic Corps assistant commissioner Eddie Rock has stressed that there will be no major clampdown on unaccompanied learner drivers.
Insurance company to cut 580 jobs
As part of a three-year restructuring programme, insurance giant Hibernian has announced that 580 jobs are to be lost here in this country.
EU launch new measures
EU Transport ministers have agreed on new legislations that will eliminate illegal and unlicensed hauliers from operating in foreign countries.
PSNI accused of road safety negligence
A report released by the UK Criminal Justice Inspector has accused the PSNI of not doing enough with regards investigation road traffic accidents.
UK drivers’ hours concern for EC
The European Commission has stated that it may take action against the UK over its failure to ensure that enough checks are carried out on truck drivers’ working hours.
Foreign-registered vehicles targeted in Garda blitz
Checkpoints will be a common sight across the country over the next few days as the Gardai launch a safety campaign against provisional licence holders, while foreign-registered cars will also come under scrutiny.
Truck driver’s home searched
A Co Donegal truck driver who is alleged to have knowingly brought a consignment of drugs into the country has had his home searched by gardai.
DTO director touts novel idea
The Director of Dublin Transport, John Henry believes radical changes should be made to the capital’s streets in a bid to cut down on the number of traffic accidents.
First-time drink drivers to avoid ban
A new legislation being introduced later in the year will see first time drink drive offenders avoid a ban and instead face a hefty fine and penalty points.
Trucker receives jail sentence
A lorry driver has been handed a six month jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to purchasing €7,900 of fuel for his personal use on his employer’s fuel card.
Quinn blasts DOT
Irish Road Haulage Association chairman Jimmy Quinn has been shocked by the government’s lack of action over spiraling fuel costs and stresses that the “Department of Transport might as well not exist.”
Test Centre found not guilty
The DOE test centre alleged to have been negligent when failing to notice that the ABS was not working on the Navan school bus has been found not guilty today (Thursday).
Penalty points hit 500,000
Since the introduction of the penalty points system over six years ago, 500,000 drivers have been penalized for motoring offences, statistics have revealed.
Learner drivers face ban
A survey has revealed that 90 per cent of provisional licence holders have driven unaccompanied, a situation that will merit a ban from next month onwards.
Extra training for Garda drivers
The Minister for Justice has been called on by opposition TD’s to introduce refresher courses for Gardai drivers who may be involved in high speed chases.
Bid to match North-South penalty points
In an attempt to introduce the same penalty points system in both the North and South, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey will meet the North’s Minister for the Environment Arlene Foster.
RSA launch safety campaign
The Road Safety Authority will launch a new campaign today (Thursday), which is aimed at making motorists aware of the dangers of using their mobiles while driving.
Re-education scheme to be introduced
A programme is set to be introduced by the Government whereby drivers convicted of drink or drug driving will have to undergo a counseling re-education scheme.
No summons, no penalty points
A new report has revealed that more than one in three penalty points cases are struck out due to the failure of the gardai to issue summonses.
Dempsey stays head of transport
Despite being widely tipped to take over the role of Minister for Finance of Tanaiste, Noel Dempsey will continue in the role of Minister for Transport and the Marine.
ROI motorists cost NI £700k
Republic of Ireland motorists have received more than £700,000 in unpaid parking fines north of the border in just 18 months, a report has revealed.
New legislation for ‘write-offs’
Motor Insurance are to be forced to hand over all their records on car write-offs in a bid to stop them reappearing on the roads as a new legislation is set to be introduced.
Trucker driver in Court
A truck driver will appear in Gorey District Court this morning in connection with an €8 million drugs seizure from a lorry at Rosslare harbour on Monday.
RSA call on tougher drink-drive limits
The Road Safety Authority has called for tougher drink drive limits to be introduced after a report was released by the Government on Wednesday.
RSA targets students
Transition year students will be informed about road safety after a new programme was launched by the government to enable young drivers have a better understanding of safe driving.
Inquest held over trucker death
At an inquest into the death of an Armagh truck driver, it was found that the man had died from a heart attack while behind the wheel on the M1 in Co. Louth.
Restrictions on drink adverts
New restrictions are to be placed on alcohol advertising as part of a Government campaign being launched to reduce the limit of promotion to 25%.
Road accident claimant receives €3m
A road traffic accident that occurred in June, 2001 in which a man suffered serious head injuries has resulted in the plantiff receiving €3 million in a High Court settlement.
Company banned from selling oil
A company that made £1.2 million from smuggling fuel across the border has been banned from selling oil and three men and a woman have received suspended sentences.
Garda blitz detects 1000 truck offences
An orchestrated Garda blitz into the haulage industry last month detected almost 1000 truck offences, with hundreds of truckers facing legal action as a result.
Traffic management included in DTA remit
Traffic management within the seven local authorities in the Metropolitan and Greater Dublin areas is included in the remit of the new Dublin Transport Authority.
Machine driver escapes DPP prosecution
A machine driver found to be over the legal alcohol limit after a work accident which resulted in the death of a 50-year-old Kerry man was escaped prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Thousands of drivers hit with phone charges
More than 32,000 drivers have earned penalty points for using a mobile phone during the past two years.
“Bouquet of flowers” offered to clamper victims
A Dublin City Council parking official has indicated that victims of wrongful clamping should be awarded an appropriate gesture – such as flowers or a small hamper!
Light Commercial dealership under investigation
Gardai have confirmed that an investigation has been launched following a number of complaints about one of the country’s leading car and light commercial dealerships.
North dismiss tolls
Northern Ireland’s Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has stressed that there are no plans in place at the moment to introduce road tolls, despite newspaper reports to the contrary.
Suspended jail term for banned driver
A judge at a Belfast Court has handed down a 10-month jail term to a banned driver with almost 200 convictions with the penalty being suspended for three years.
North set for road charges
Northern Ireland’s Road Services is set to introduce road charges on its roads where five key routes across the country will be tolled, much to the frustration of motorists and hauliers.
Taoiseach intervened in roundabout project
Details released under the freedom of information Act have revealed that the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern applied pressure in relation to a road project that included a roundabout on the N22.
Motoring fines hit €23 million
New figures released by the Government have shown that speeding, seat belt and mobile phone fines have seen almost €23 million taken in for the offences last year.
Tara debate at EU Parliament
The controversial M3 motorway at the Hill of Tara was amongst the topic discussed at an EU parliament committee meeting on Tuesday as controversy over the route rages.
Dublin’s clamping blackspots named
The top ten locations for vehicles to be clamped in Dublin have been revealed with the capital’s southside being the worst area for the offence.
Shell receives State approval for drill
As part of the work being carried out on the Corrib gas project, Shell E&P has received State approval to drill in a special area of conversation in North Mayo.
Barry faces tough questions
National Roads Authority chief executive Fred Barry came under a barrage of questions from Fine Gael TD’s in the Oireachtas on Wednesday, who claimed that the Port Tunnel closures were unacceptable.
DPP to decide on truck crash
The Director of Public Prosecution will decide in the coming weeks whether or not to prosecute the driver or the owner of a truck involved in a fatal accident.
Motor claims top the list
Motor accidents made up 72% of all personal injury claims last year, according to new figures released by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.
Survey reveals people in favour of Drink driving reduction
A survey carried out by road safety group PARC has revealed that 99% of people are in favour of reducing drink driving limits, following the government’s decision to do so.
Clare council to provide bypass report
The €200 million Ennis bypass scheme, which is still ongoing, a year after it was due for completion has become a major cause for concern to the relevant parties.
Haulier uses phone to ‘warm his ear’
A German truck driver who was stopped by the police for using a mobile phone while driving has escaped prosecution by claiming that he was using the handset to alleviate ear ache.
Gardai plan extra roadchecks
Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock has warned motorists that there will be an increased Garda presence on the roads over the Easter holiday period.
Foreign drivers to be prosecuted
New European legislation will be brought in where foreign drivers that break traffic laws in Ireland can now be prosecuted in a bid to reduce road accidents.
Rath Lugh site could be avoided
According to conservationist activist Lisa Feeney, additional land near the proposed M3 in Meath could be used by the developers instead of encroaching on the Rath Lugh site.
Motorists fail to get the message
Despite numerous warnings from the gardai and various road authorities for motorists to take care on the roads and not to drink drive, a staggering 500 people were arrested for the offence.
Hauliers abide by law
Speeding on Irish roads has increased considerably in the last three years following a study by the Roads Safety Authority, but that figure has dropped where hauliers are concerned.
Tunnel bill to escalate further
The beleaguered Dublin Port Tunnel could eventually cost in the region of €1.25 billion, which is five times more than the original estimate of €260 million.
Green Party blasted over M3 motorway
Labour member Joanna Tuffy has stated that the Green Party has done a u-turn on its stance over the construction of the controversial M3 motorway.
RSA Chief reveals plans
Road Safety Authority Chief Executive Noel Brett has revealed that by the end of the year every driving instructor in the country must be registered with the RSA.
High Court says no to injunction
The High Court has ruled that no injunction stopping works at the Rath Lugh national monument on the new N3 motorway will be granted, as a protestor barricades herself in a tunnel at the site.
Dempsey confident of Port success
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey is in no doubt that the ‘teething’ problems that have besieged the Dublin Port Tunnel since it was opened can be rectified.
Dealer agrees to reimburse customers
A Car and Light Commercial dealership has been found guilty of ‘clocking’ second hand vehicles following an investigation by the consumer watchdog.
Van Driver awarded €17k
A van driver, who was alleged to have breached codes of discipline by his employers has awarded over €17,000 by an employment appeals tribunal.
Lenihan to crack down on boy racers
They are the scourge of Irish roads and hauliers have had to deal with them on a daily basis, but Justice Minister Brian Lenihan has revealed that there will be a crack down on boy racers.
All-Ireland Learner’s permit needed after Irish driver charged in Northern Ireland - McHugh
Fine Gael spokesperson on North/South co-operation, Joe McHugh has called for a complete overhaul of the licensing system, North and South of the border after a provisional driving licence holder from Donegal was charged in Northern Ireland with driving without a licence.
Small UK firms including hauliers could face manslaughter charges
Four out of five small and medium sized businesses in the UK and Northern Ireland are leaving themselves wide open to criminal charges of corporate manslaughter if one of their drivers is involved in a fatal road accident, a survey has revealed.
London’s Low Emission Zone starts next week
London’s Low Emission Zone comes into force next Monday, February 4 amid fears that as many as 10,000 vehicles working in and around London may not yet be compliant.
80 kph speed limit unlawful
An 80 kph speed limit between the Dublin Port Tunnel and the airport junction is unlawful because the correct bye laws to allow Gardai to enforce it are not in place, it has been revealed.
Governments thrash out disqualified drivers agreement
The Departments of Transport in Ireland and the UK have thrashed out a deal that will result in the reciprocal recognition of banned drivers.
Department will move to plug licence loophole
The Department of Transport is to move to close a legal loophole that prevents gardai seizing driving licences from disqualified drivers.
New animal health strategy could effect hauliers
A new EU animal health strategy that focuses on the prevention of animal disease, could have major ramifications for animal haulage sector.
RSA confirm disqualification anomaly
The Road Safety Authority has confirmed that Gardaí do not have the power to arrest a disqualified driver stopped at a checkpoint, or seize their driving licence.
Ireland must cut CO2 emissions
Ireland will have to make cuts in its CO2 emissions and to significantly invest in energy from renewables, under the EU’s new climate change plan.
EU votes to reform freight rules
The European Parliament has voted to remove a raft of regulations that have the potential to save the European freight industry Eur. 160 million annually.
Foster proposes new NI drink drive limit
Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister has outlined proposals to reduce the legal alcohol limit for driving from 80mg to 50mg per 100 millilitres of blood.
RSA calls for penalty point increase
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has called on the Government for an increase in penalty points for speeding and not wearing a seat belt.
AA calls for complete penalty point roll out
The Automobile Association has called on the Department of Transport to introduce upwards on 40 penalty point offences, to the scheme, which was initiated more than four years ago.
FTA publishes 2008 yearbook of road transport law
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) in the UK has published the 46th edition of its highly praised Yearbook of Road Transport Law for 2008.
New EU Regulation will cause disarray in European transport industry
European Ministers of Justice are on the verge of destroying the existing international framework of contractual rules and norms, which underpin the smooth functioning of the pan European road transport market, according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
Mobile phone ban pays dividends in the UK
The number of UK motorists using hand held mobile phones has fallen significantly, since the introduction on their use earlier this year.
IRU meets with EU Transport Commissioner
The International Road transport Union (IRU) has met with Jacques Barrot, EU Commission Vice President and Transport Commissioner, to discuss pressing issues relating to road transport.
Ireland faces court appearance over EU Directive
Ireland is being taken to the European Court of Justice over its failure to implement a directive requiring specific training for bus and lorry drivers.
IRHA calls for fuel duty rebate
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling on the Government to introduce an Essential User Rebate system for the haulage industry as fuel prices continue on an upward trajectory.
IRU warns against new EU rules
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has expressed its concern over EU proposals on the law applicable to contractual obligations including those concerning road transport, such as contract of carriage, which could be adopted as early as January 2008.
RHA urges British government to rethink fuel duty plans
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is urging the government to seriously reconsider any further increases in fuel duty as prices continue to rise.
Commission move on eight countries over tachograph rules
The European Commission has sent reasoned opinions – the last step before a formal complaint to the Court of Justice is lodged – to Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom for failure to notify their national measures transposing Directive 2006/22/EC.
Spain in the dock over haulier toll discounts
The European Commission has decided to take legal action against Spain for failure to respect European legislation on road charging when applying excessively high discounts on motorway tolls.
Commission refers Denmark to Court of Justice
The European Commission hasdecided to take legal action against Denmark, for failure to transpose EU legislation on European electronic road toll systems.
Commission takes Greece to the Court of Justice over tachograph rules
The European Commission has launched a court proceedings against Greece for failure to properly introduce the digital tachograph system.
IRU addresses European Parliament on CO2 emissions
The IRU has addressed the European Parliament during a public hearing no "Sustainable European Transport Policy".
Courts Service snowed under with fixed penalty cases
The Courts Service has written to the Department of Transport over the number of cases coming before the courts because drivers are not paying their fines.
UK relaxes drivers’ hours
Drivers’ hours rules have been relaxed in areas outside the foot-and-mouth disease Risk Area in the UK to allow important movements of animals, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced.
RSA ready to review use of agricultural vehicles on public roads
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed that it is poised to conduct a review on the use of tractors, JCBs and other agricultural and works vehicles on the public road.
Ministers discuss mutual recognition of banned drivers
Transport and road safety ministers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have met to discuss plans for the mutual recognition of banned drivers in both jurisdictions.
Two out of three small firms are victims of fraud
Two out three of small Irish companies have been the victim of fraud over the last two years, a survey conducted by the Small Firms Association (SFA) has concluded.
Man arrested after fatal truck crash
A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a man in a road accident involving a truck and a van on Thursday September 6.
RSA focuses on eyesight tests
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Specsavers Opticians are teaming up to vision screen hundreds of drivers and offer complimentary eye care advice throughout Ireland in the coming weeks in a bid to focus the nation on safer driving.
Mitchell urges EU Commission to consider commuters and shelve M3 legal action
Fine Gael Transport Spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD has urged the European Commission not to proceed with legal action against Ireland over the M3 motorway, which she said would condemn thousands of commuters to many more years of gridlock misery.
Scottish hauliers plea for extended hours
In a plea that will strike a chord with livestock hauliers working out of Northern Ireland, the Scottish Road Haulage Association has made a powerful case to the Department of Transport to allow livestock lorry drivers to drive extended hours.
EU and Switzerland in talks over border security
Stricter security regulations in the new EU customs code should not be a hindrance to the transport of merchandise between EU member states and Switzerland, according to the EU.
RSA confirms CPC administrative role
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has confirmed that it is the administrative body in Ireland for the new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
HGV driver jailed in UK
A HGV driver in Britian has been jailed for six years after a motorway crash that killed three people, including a brother and a sister.
IRHA rejects VOSA claims
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has rejected claims that Irish trucks are amongst the most unsafe vehicles operating in the UK.
Two out three motorists win penalty points appeal
Two out of three motorists who went to court last year rather than having penalty points added to their licences, had the penalty points rescinded when they appealed before the courts.
Truck drivers will need new qualification
Truck drivers wanting to work in the industry after September 2009, will have to hold a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), under the terms of a new EU directive.
Ireland faces Court over Driver Training Directive
Ireland is amongst a group of 10 EU Member States that face legal proceedings over their failure to implement a new directive on professional driving training.
VOSA pledges crackdown on foreign hauliers
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has renewed its pledge to crack down on foreign hauliers who are operating illegally in Britain.
Austrian traffic measures
The European Commission has issued a formal opinion on a number of traffic-related measures put forward by the government of Tyrol in order to improve air quality.
Reduced speed limits for Dublin’s streets
Dublin city council has announced detail of its plans to reduce the speed limit on the streets to 30km/h from the current legal limit of 50km/h.
Barry pushes for new road
National Roads Authority boss Fred Barry is confident that a new motorway outside the M50 would ease congestion on the much maligned route.
NRA back orbital route
An evaluation submitted to the Minster for Transport by the National Roads Authority has states that a new orbital motorway outside the M50, linking the M1 at Drogheda with the M9 at Kilcullen is economically viable.
Oil, gas profits set for tax increase
An announcement has been made by the Government revealing that tax on revenues from offshore oil and gas exploration will be increased by up to 15 per cent.
EU officials speak out against M3 work
A spokesperson for the EU has stated that officials would like to see work on the controversial M3 motorway halted at the Hill of Tara following the discovery of further archaeological ruins in the area.
UK firm buy tool hire business
Waterford Hire Services, an independent tool and equipment hire business has been sold to British-based company Speedy Hire for €6.5 million.
Ombudsman to investigate fatal accident
The Garda Ombudsman has launched an investigation into an accident that saw an off duty garda strike a pedestrian in Co Galway with his vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Learner drivers to have law changed
A new legislation is set to be introduced early next year by the Department of Transport that will see every provisional licence holder having to carry a fully qualified driver with them.
Smart Card to go €20m over budget
Government documents have revealed that the long anticipated smart card system for public transport is going to exceed its budget by at least €20 million.
Mobile speed cameras to be delayed
Rumours are abound that the introduction of mobile speed cameras may be delayed by up to six months even though the plan was to have them in place by September.
Oil prices calm down
The recent unsteady oil prices seem to have settled somewhat following the release of yesterday’s Asian trading much to the relief of all concerned.
Shell sponsorship questioned
A Feile festival in Co Mayo is set to be sponsored by Shell E&P Ireland, which has raised concerns by many of the artists participating.
Truck thief jailed
A man has been handed a 15-month prison sentence after he drove a stolen truck through a garda checkpoint dragging a member of the force 500 metres in Tullamore, Co Offaly last month.
Protestors hit back at Gormley statement
Hill of Tara protestors have hit back at a statement released by Minister for the Environment John Gormley claiming that there was little he could about rerouting the M3 motorway.
New Road Safety strategy to be revealed
As part of a new road safety plan, proposals have been made to allow for mandatory drink driving tests on drivers at crash sites along with other safety measures.
Gormley ‘hands tied’ on M3
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has announced that he does not have the power needed to reroute the M3 motorway from the Tara Valley.
Peugeot/Citroen announce profit increase
Manufacturer of cars and light commercials, PSA Peugeot/Citroen has announced a massive increase in profits for the first six months of the year.
M50 Camp raided by Gardai
Members of the Roma community that had set up a camp on a M50 roundabout have been moved following a gardai operation in the early hours of Tuesday morning (24th July)
Penalty points to be equal in Ireland and UK
A deal has been reached between the Irish and British government that will see the penalty points system in Ireland and the UK legalized in both countries.
Drink driving increases
The number of drink drivers on Irish roads has surprisingly increased, despite mandatory testing being introduced by the Government early last year.
Over 100 vehicles nabbed in fuel operation
In an anti fraud operation the gardai, aided by revenue authorities and social welfare officials, over 100 vehicles were ‘dipped for illegal fuel in two checkpoints along the border.
Legal action brought against Rossport
Mayo County Council has begun legal proceedings against the Rossport solidarity camp that was established over two years ago in protest of the Corrib Gas project that has hit the headlines on a regular basis in recent times.
Mass protest planned against M3 motorway
A series of demonstrations will be held across the globe throughout the course of the day by campaigners protesting at the development work being carried out on the controversial M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara in Co Meath.
Luas profit grows
The Luas light rail system has made a profit of €5.6 million last year, which is an increase on the previous 12 months according to the Railway Procurement Agency’s annual report.
Dungannon bypass shelved
A ring road planned for the busy town of Dungannon in Co Tyrone for the past three years has now been put on hold much to the disbelief of some councillors and local residents.
Independent MEP calls on M3 work to be halted
Development work being carried out on the controversial M3 motorway at the Hill of Tara in Co Meath is illegal according to Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott.
RSA call for lower driver alcohol limit
As part of its upcoming road safety strategy, the RSA is to suggest that the legal alcohol limit for drivers should be reduced even further.
Lorry driver has divine right
A lorry driver has successfully been awarded compensation from a Belgian company after he suffered injuries, while collecting bibles at the premises.
NI dump closed due to pollution concerns
The Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service have suspended Limavady Borough Council’s waste management licence over pollution concerns.
Taoiseach called on to make Drink-driving change
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been called on to follow through with a pre-election promise to change drink drive laws so all drivers are tested for drink and drugs after an accident.
Gormley in firing line once again
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has had a hectic few weeks in his new position and the pressure doesn’t seem to be easing as further call have been made to halt work on the M3 motorway.
Driver wins unfair dismissal case
A lorry driver has been awarded €5,000 compensation after the Labour Court ruled that he was unfairly dismissed by the firm he was working with at the time.
M3 Protestors make claim against workers
Environmentalists protesting against the M3 development near the Hill of Tara in Co Meath claim that an ancient burial ground was razed to ground during development work.
Extra Gardai trained for breathalysers
Since mandatory alcohol breath testing was introduced by the Government last year, over 1,540 extra gardai have been trained to use the equipment.
Customs seize 2m cigarettes
Customs officials and gardai have seized over 2 million cigarettes that were being transported by van after arriving at Dublin Port from Poland on Tuesday morning.
Pay and display may go
A proposal by Dublin City Council to allow commuters park for free in residential areas in a bid to attract more people to use public transport in the city would be a huge boost in the bid to ease congestion in the capital.
Van waited for Cocaine haul
Gardai are searching for the driver of a van who they believe was waiting for a consignment of drugs believed to be the biggest haul every found in this country worth an estimated €105 million.
Gardai push for 32 county points system
Following a series of fatal accidents along the border, Garda have called for an all-Ireland penalty points system to be introduced as a deterrent for speeding motorists.
Pressure on Gormley to scrap incinerator
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has come under increasing pressure from opposition parties to scrap the proposed waste incinerator in Poolbeg.
Minister confident of M50 success
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has stated that upgrading work on the much maligned M50 that is currently being carried out will see traffic congestion ease on the motorway from early next year.
Driver charged over Kerry road deaths
A limerick man has been charged with dangerous driving causing the death of two Polish motorcyclists in Co Kerry last year.
30 injured in bus crash
A private bus in Cork city centre crashed last night and injured 30 people, while gardai have launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident.
New study to reveal impact of Celtic Tiger
The question on everyone’s lips is how much longer the Celtic Tiger will rein in Ireland as it affects everyone including the haulage industry.
DART expansion to ease congestion
It will be music to all hauliers’ ears as a new underground DART service is to be developed over the coming years in a bid to further reduce traffic congestion in and around Dublin city centre by a considerable amount.
Minister urged to halt incinerator
Minister for the Environment John Gormley has been called upon to put a halt to the plans for an incinerator at Poolbeg, a development the Green Party TD had objected to in the past.
RSA demand speed limit reports
The Road Safety Authority has called on every Council in the country to hand in a report on the inappropriate speed limits in their localities as preparations begin for the privitisation of roll out cameras begins.
Shell blamed for man’s illness
The ongoing Corrib gas project that has caused endless amount of protests and violent conflicts between Gardai and protestors has been cited as the reason for a man being admitted to hospital with a suspected stroke.
No meeting for Conservationists
Members of the Tara Watch protest group have revealed their disappointment at not meeting with Minister for the Environment John Gormley at the Custom House on Monday afternoon.
NTR issue apology
National Toll Roads has issued a statement retracting the comments made by NTR managing director Kyran Hurley claiming that a construction company had no chance of completing an inter-urban motorway programme by 2010.
Gilmore slams motor licence madness
The Labour party’s environment spokesman, Eamon Gilmore, has expressed his shock at figures just released which show that some older drivers could have renewed their provisional licence up to 30 times.
Company fined for breach of EU transport regulations
Galway District Court has fined a concrete manufacturing company €5,500 for numerous breaches of EU Transport regulations following an investigation into its practice.
Dempsey handed transport role
Following the announcement of the new government on Thursday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has appointed experienced TD Noel Dempsey the position of Minister for Transport and Marine.
Customs seize contraband cigarettes
Custom officials have just brought a lengthy operation to a satisfactory conclusion as they seized contraband cigarettes worth in the region of €1 million from flat rack containers in Co. Tipperary.
Major step forward in international trade facilitation
The Irish International Freight Association has announced that as from Friday 1st of June a new customs clearance system will be introduced in Ireland. This follows a lengthy period of training and testing of the new system with Customs & Excise.
Oil prices fall
The market is awaiting US inventory data on petrol later today as the price of crude oil in Asia has dropped 28 cents a barrel since yesterday afternoon.
Van driver receives jail term
The haulage industry specialises in transporting goods from one destination to another, with drivers sometimes obtaining tips from happy customers, but for one van courier, the gratitude he was looking for ended him in jail.
Council unhappy over bypass delay
Clare County Council has reacted angrily to the news that the Ennis bypass is well behind schedule and now, Turkish firm GAMA Construction, who are overseeing the project have been told that it may be penalized for the delay.
Dispute to cause disruption at Mine
Swedish group Lundig Mining, owners of the Galmoy zinc and lead mine in Kilkenny has failed to reach an agreement with workers over a pay dispute that looks set to result in the employees refusing to work overtime or answering call outs.
Report highlights Ireland’s road death problems
A report published by the European Transport Safety Council has revealed that the decrease in roads in Ireland is one of the EU’s lowest, even though there are more and more drivers wearing their seatbelts.
Shell outline alternative Corrib routes
In an attempt to break the deadlock between Shell Ireland and protestors of the Corrib line, eight alternative routes will be put forward for consideration today.
Price fixing charge for retired consultant
The Central Criminal Court will reside over the trial of a retired car and light commercial consultant for alleged price-fixing of Citroen vehicles over a number of years.
Scottish truckers face ban for using mobile phones
Scottish bus and lorry drivers risk losing their licence if they are caught using a hand held mobile phone while driving.
VOSA wins cabotage case
A Dutch licensed haulage company has lost a case in thethat could have far reaching consequences operating in the UK market.
European Commission wants to eliminate transport “cowboys”
The European Commission says that its proposed package of reforms for the road haulage sector will eliminate what its calls transport "cowboys", who give the sector a negative image.
IRU welcome Commission proposals
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has welcomed the European Commission’s move to propose a consolidated legislative package on access to the road transport market and access to the profession.
VOSA crackdown on truck drivers
Irish hauliers that fall foul of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) in the UK for tachograph violations could be put off the road on the spot, it has been revealed.
New abnormal loads permit scheme
A new permit scheme for the transport of abnormal loads exceeding the maximum length and width will be introduced shortly, the Department of Transport has confirmed.
Swinford trucker gets €300 fine
A Swinford haulier who failed to indicate on a local authority document that he
was disqualified from driving when applying for a Class C licence has been fined €300.
Licensing unit on the move
The Transport Operator Licensing Unit has moved as part of the Government’s decentralisation programme.
New European driving licence could cost hauliers
Operators could face a "horrendous" cost burden as a result of measures proposed in the Driving Licence Directive which is being considered by Brussels.
Kildare Hauliers Acquitted Of Theft
A Co. Kildare man, who operates as an international haulier, has been acquitted of the theft of a container of chocolates valued at almost Eur. 50,000 from Dublin Port.
Permit scheme now in place
Dublin City Council’s new HGV registration scheme came into force on Tuesday May 15, Dublin city businesses must now be registered with the city council if they are to continue to receive deliveries from heavy goods vehicles (HGV) during business hours.
HGV traffic survey
Heavy goods traffic in Dublin city centre was declining before the introduction of the recent HGV traffic management strategy, a new survey has revealed.
Digital tachographs - one year on
Tuesday May 1, marked the first anniversary of the introduction of the digital tachograph to all new commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Penalty point co-operation hits snag
Plans to introduce a system for the mutual recognition of penalty points in Ireland and the UK have run into legal difficulties, according to Transport Minister, Martin Cullen.
IRHA accuses VOSA of “nit-picking”
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has accused the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in Britain of “nit-picking” in relation to the extent and nature of its tests on Irish vehicles.
European Commission warns Greece over haulage rules
The European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to Greece for its failure to comply with European rules on admission to the occupation of road haulage operator and passenger transport operator.
Most hauliers compliant with HGV cordon ban - Gardai
Gardai are stopping in the region of 30 trucks per day inside Dublin’s HGV cordon to check if drivers have the requisite paperwork.
Lorry drivers - ahead of their time!
With the clocks going forward by one hour from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) to British Summer Time (BST) next Sunday 25 March, hauliers are reminded that vehicles fitted with digital tachographs are required to record manual entries in Universal Time Co-ordinated (UTC) - regardless of what time the unit display is set to.
IRU slams EU proposals on fuel duty harmonisation
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) says the European Commission’s proposal to harmonise excise on road diesel for professional users will not reduce distortions of competition arising from variations in fuel taxes between Member States.
Hauliers could soon face on-the-spot fines
Hauliers could soon be hit with on-the-spot fines for breaching the Dublin City Centre truck ban, www.irishtrucker.com has learned.
Compliance rate high but 20 hauliers face prosecution over HGV ban
Twenty hauliers face prosecution for breaking the conditions of the Dublin city centre truck ban, which came into force on February 19.
Cullen accused of “act of folly”
Transport Minister Martin Cullen’s decision to press ahead with the introduction of a maximum height restriction for HGVs has been branded as an “act of folly” by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).
Toll dodgers to face hefty fines
Motorists who try to dodge the new barrier-free toll charges on the M50, next year will face hefty fines and even jail.
Car ban next for Dublin city centre
Not content with having banned HGVs, Dublin Council is now considering banning private vehicles from parts of the city centre.
Trucker gets 10-year jail sentence
A Dublin truck driver has been jailed for 10 years, by the Circuit Criminal Court for his part in a drugs importation ring.
Three out of four hauliers compliant
Three out four hauliers that were stopped inside the cordon on the opening day of Dublin City Council’s HGV traffic management plan had the required permit, according to Garda figures just released.
Cullen under pressure to ban smoking in all vehicles
Ash Ireland has called on Transport Minister Martin Cullen to introduce a smoking ban for all vehicles.
Big brothers powers HGV traffic management plan
Dublin City Council is using upwards on 170 CCTV cameras to monitor the movement of five axle trucks in the city centre, following the introduction of its HGV traffic management plan.
Mobile phone ban beginning to bite
The ban on using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is beginning to take effect on the back of news that upwards on 1,000 drivers a month are being caught by Gardai.
NRA unhappy with blanket ban
The National Roads Authority (NRA) has warned that that a blanket-ban on HGVs using the southern access route to Dublin port, will have a major negative impact on traffic flows on the M50 motorway in Dublin.
Tyre Noise Directive sidelined
A proposed European Directive on reducing noise from truck, bus and car tyres has been sidelined, according to the lobby group Transport & Environment (T&E).
Gardai seek help in truck hijack case
Gardai have issued an appeal for information concerning a truck hijacking in Co. Kildare recently.
Dutch courage
A Dutch lorry driver, who mounted a Wolverhampton footpath, while under the influence of alcohol has been given a 28-day prison sentence and banned from driving in the UK for three years.
Speed cameras save lives
Speed cameras reduce road fatalities and significantly reduce fatalities, a new study has found.
Cullen ready to impose maximum height restriction
Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, TD is poised to impose a national maximum vehicle height limit of 4.65 metres.
Drivers still not getting mobile phone ban message
Some 5,700 drivers have been caught using mobile phones while at the wheel since new regulations banning the use of mobile phones while driving came into force last September.
Blind spot mirror rules come into force
An EU directive requiring all new lorries over 7.5 tonnes to be fitted with blind-spot mirrors passed into Irish law on Friday January 26.
IRHA warns city council on new permit scheme
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) say it will not become a “collection mechanism” for permit fees due to Dublin City Council when the HGV traffic management plan for the capital comes into place next month.
VOSA vows to continue crackdown on driving hours violations
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency has vowed to continue to crackdown on drivers that flout driving hours regulations on UK roads.
Hauliers likely to escape UK penalty points for mobile phone offences
Hauliers that drive in the UK have just five weeks to familiarise themselves with the New Road Safety Act, which imposes fines of £60 and three penalty points on any driver using a handheld mobile behind the wheel.
Medical bureau urges zero tolerance on drug driving
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) has called on the government to adopt a zero-tolerance approach in relation to drug driving.
Haulier claims road resurfacing caused bridge strike
The haulier at the centre of the most recent bridge strike in Dublin has claimed that road resurfacing caused his truck to collide with the Custom House Bridge.
RHA furious over height restriction plan
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has joined with its Irish equivalent – the IRHA - in condemning the Irish Government for seeking to introduce a 4.65 metre height restriction on HGVs.
McEntee calls for driving test overhaul
The Opposition has called for a complete overhaul of the driving test, following the news that waiting lists are getting longer.
FTA to brief UK hauliers on new working time rules
The Freight Transport Association in the UK will be running a series of 10 free member briefings on the new drivers’ hours rules, together with a wider legal update on new transport regulations for 2007 throughout January.
New UK speed limiter regulations in UK
With effect from January 1 additional vehicles in the UK come under the speed limiter legislation introduced in January 2005.
Judge calls for cross-border penalty points
A District Court judge in Co Donegal has called for the establishment of a cross-border penalty points system,
Judge Conal Gibbons said a driving ban handed out in the Republic should also mean a ban in Northern Ireland.
Harmonised rules for dangerous goods transport
The European Commission has proposed to harmonise the rules for the transport of dangerous goods.
Harmonised Penalty Points In The Offing
The Irish and British governments are to look into the possibility of establishing a harmonised penalty points system in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain.
UK survey could be mirrored in Ireland
Thousands of young drivers will risk injuries and even death this Christmas by getting behind the wheel after taking illegal drugs, if the findings of a UK survey are mirrored in Ireland.
New European Driving Licence Gets Green Light
The European parliament has given the green light for the creation of a European driving licence, which will replace the many national licences used in the EU.
European Parliament votes to cut diesel vehicle emissions
The European Parliament has approved cuts in emissions of particles and nitrogen oxides from diesel cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), a step that will force car and truck makers to equip new models with particle filters from September 2009.
Council seeks help in tracking rogue haulier
Louth Co. Co. has issued an appeal for help in tracing a lorry that dumped around a hundred tyres at a scenic spot north of Dundalk recently.
New UK licensing system
The licensing system for operators of heavy goods vehicles and public service vehicles in the UK is be streamlined and modernised saving some £15m a year.
UK to review Working Time Directive regulations
The Department of Transport in the UK is poised to review the regulations that implement the European Road Transport Working Time Directive.
New EU laws don’t go far enough - ADAC
New EU laws due next March, on the fitment of under run bars on trailers, don’t go far enough, crash tests by German breakdown organisation ADAC have shown.
45 foot containers get stay of execution
The use of 45 foot containers in national road transport has been given a stay of execution by the European Commission.
Mobile phone ban proves talk isn’t cheap
Nearly 400 drivers a week are having penalty points added to their licence for using their mobile phone while driving.
Operation Freeflow gets under way
Operation Freeflow, the seasonal initiative, to keep traffic in Dublin moving over the Christmas period, got underway on Monday 27th November.
Gardai move to privatise speed camera system
The Gardai have taken the first steps in developing a network of speed cameras across the country.
McDowell Moves on New Speeding Loophole
Justice Minister Michael McDowell has confirmed that legislation is not required to deal with a number of motoring offences thrown out of court last week.
Haulage firms hiring Northern drivers
Some haulage companies are employing drivers that hold Northern Ireland driving licences, because they can dodge the penalty points system in the Republic.
New directives for safer roads in the EU
In its efforts to halve the number of road fatalities by 2010, the European Commission is planning to introduce two new directives in the coming months.
Commission ready to re-draft road haulage rules
The European Union is considering re-drafting the rules that govern access to the road transport market as laid down in various regulations and directives.
Commission publishes pollution inventory
The European Commission has published the first consolidated European inventory of pollution from small, scattered sources such as trucks, cars, airplanes and ships.
Commission moves on Community rules for hauliers
The European Commission has held a hearing with the main European associations representing road hauliers, their trade unions and their customers in preparation for a review of the current Community rules on admission to the occupation and access to the market, the pillars of the internal market for road transport.
ESRI backs road charging
The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has called on the government to scrap motor taxes such as VRT and road tax, in favour of a new tax based on distance travelled.
Cullen poised to move on drug drivers
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has pledged that the Government will introduce technology to test motorists for drug-driving as soon as the technology becomes available.
Lorry emissions update
Euro 4 emissions standards for new lorries entered into force in the European Union on last month, but questions remain over enforcement of the new and future standards.
Ministers consider drink and drug driving court
The Departments of Justice and Transport are considering establishing a dedicated court to deal with drink and drug driving.
Gardai widen scope of breath test
Garda have been instructed to conduct alcohol breath-tests on all motorists involved in crashes, across the country, in a further bid to reduce the carnage on the country’s roads.
Ireland’s dismal road safety statistics
Road deaths in the Republic have fallen by less than one per cent (0.8pc) per annum over the past five years, according to EU statistics.
Fine Gael calls for mandatory drug drive testing
The Opposition has called on the Government to introduce mandatory drug testing for motorists, as a matter of urgency.
UK HGV hijackings on the increase
Hijackings and attacks on UK roads have reached an all-time high.
Considerable interest in longer vehicle combinations in Europe
Volvo Trucks, together with together with the Swedish Road Administration and the Dutch Transport Ministry, is promoting the value of longer vehicle combinations in Europe.
Northern Ireland speed limit restrictions slated
Restrictions limiting the number of speed cameras on Northern Ireland’s roads should be lifted, politicians have claimed.
Greece and Cyprus get digital tachograph warning
The European Commission has issued formal notifications to Greece and Cyprus urging implementation of measures for the use of digital tachograph in road transport operations.
Irish hauliers caught in VOSA net
Over 50 per cent of the HGVs stopped in the UK in the last month at roadside checks were found to be breaking the law, according to the Vehicle and Operator Standards Agency (VOSA).
Cullen calls for judiciary to get tough on speedsters
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has called on the judiciary to get tough on motorists who come before the courts.
Roche proposes motor tax shake up
The Government is considering switching to an emissions based motor tax, which would penalise polluters, without raising overall taxation.
Volvo’s road safety contribution
Volvo Trucks has presented both its alco-lock and the European Modular System (EMS) as tools for improving road safety in Europe.
Trucking foreigners making UK roads unsafe
The expansion of the European Union has made the UK’s roads unsafe with truckers from overseas putting lives at risk by overworking and using vehicles with serious faults, that’s the view of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
Australian drug driving test should be introduced in Ireland
Pilot shows five times more drivers found with drugs than drink.
Bus deaths crash trial begins
Bus Eireann is set to go on trial on (Tuesday 24th October) to face charges arising from a fatal crash which resulted in the deaths of five schoolgirls in county Meath.
Ban for haulage operators
The two principals of a County Antrim haulage firm have been told they cannot operate in business for a total of 13 years.
Government is failing to stop the slaughter of our young drivers - McEntee
Fine Gael Road Safety Spokesman Shane McEntee TD has accused the Government of failing young drivers by refusing to implement effective road safety measures to stop the slaughter. He was speaking following the weekend of horrific carnage in which seven people died.
Legal action looming over roadworks
Legal action is being lined up against up to 30 local authorities for alleged defective handling of roadworks.
Three strikes rule for offending motorists to be implemented
Thousands of motorists will be banned from Irish roads if they clock up just six penalty points, it has been reported.
Points loophole revealed for foreign drivers
Only one in every 20 drivers caught without insurance has been issued with penalty points because all but 5% of them possess foreign driving licences.
Councillor to face court over traffic offences
Charges relating to a series of road traffic offences are to be brought against a leading member of the Labour Party, it has been reported.
Driving test waiting time slashed
It has been reported that the average waiting time for a driving test has been cut by six weeks over the past seven months.
Hauliers to benefit from legal changes
The Government has taken steps to amend mistakes in road traffic laws ahead of amending legislation into the Dail on Wednesday.
Free Euro 4/5 and digital tachograph guide available
Iveco is offering road transport operators a free guide to the new legislation surrounding Euro 4/5 and digital tachographs on CD-ROM, produced in association with Siemens VDO and Yara Industrial, Europe’s largest producer of AdBlue.
Legal anomaly causing penalty points problem
It has emerged that a technicality allowing drivers with twelve penalty points to keep driving remains because gardai stopping a motorist at the roadside still do not know if that driver is disqualified or not.
Trucks loaded with illegal fuel escape authorities
Truck loads of smuggled fuel are avoiding detection because the smugglers are resorting to the use of specially constructed "two-in-one" tankers, reports suggest.
Roads Authority to issue tenders
The National Roads Authority is to hire consultants to monitor the pay and conditions of workers carrying out jobs on the State’s major road networks.
Labour criticises Government over offence delay
The Labour Party has condemned the Minister for Transport for not imposing penalty points immediately on drivers using hand-held mobile phones.
Judge orders production of pipeline documents
A High Court judge has said that documents must be produced by Shell and the State to residents in connection with proceedings coming from the residents’ opposition to the Corrib gas pipeline.
Shell’s court action to recommence
Shell E&P Ireland’s legal action against North Mayo landowners is set to resume in the High Court on Monday, July 31st with Ms Justice Mary Laffoy set to rule on aspects of the case.
Court endorses laws to complete motorworks
The Supreme Court has supported the constitutionality of new laws enacted to ensure the quick completion of the south-eastern motorway, which had been delayed by legal challenges aimed at protecting the Carrickmines Castle site.
Supreme
Court rejects breath-testing appeals
The Supreme Court has thrown out a test challenge to the use of
the Intoxilyzer and Intoximeter breath-testing machines in drink-driving
cases with a judgment to be given later.
Road
Traffic Act becomes law
The new Road Traffic Act, which allows gardai to stop and breathalyse
drivers officially came into effect on Thursday, July 20th.
McEntee
concerned Road Traffic Bill being stalled until autumn
Fine Gael Road Safety Spokesman Shane McEntee TD has said he is
very concerned that the Road Traffic Bill is being stalled until
the autumn, given the shocking death of 12 people on the roads within
two days.
Provisional
drivers let off hook
Provisional drivers who have been stopped for failing to display
L-plates or driving without being accompanied by a qualified driver
are having their cases struck out by the courts.
Lorry
driver breaks roadblock with illegal waste
A gardai checkpoint in Ashbourne, Co. Meath was driven through by
a lorry driver transporting illegal waste from Northern Ireland,
Trim Circuit Criminal Court heard on Wednesday (July 5th).
EU
to sue State over uninsured
The EU is taking Ireland to the highest court in Europe over its
failure to recompense uninsured drivers involved in accidents.
Judge
to rule on drink driving cases
Three drink driving cases that had been adjourned until the outcome
of legal challenges to the intoxilyser used by Gardai will be heard
in Cork on (Friday 16th June).
Jail
term for drink driver
A drink driver who crashed into supporters welcoming home the victorious
Portumna team after they had won the All-Ireland club hurling final
last March has been handed a five month jail sentence.
Cullen
highlights clauses of Road Traffic Bill
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has said the Road Traffic Bill
2006 allows for compulsory alcohol testing, the banning of driving
while holding a hand-held mobile phone and hundreds of speed cameras.
Environmentalists
condemn courts over pollution fines
An environmental group has criticised fines handed down to polluters
by the courts after a waste disposal company was found guilty of
polluting a tributary of Lough Neagh
Bord
Pleanala finds Corrib work is unlawful
An Bord Pleanala has ruled that some of the shore work on the Corrib
gas project is unauthorised.
Byrne
asks opposition to accept Road Traffic Bill
Gay Byrne, the chairman of the Road Safety Authority, has asked
opposition politicians not to use pending road safety legislation
as a “political football” which could delay its passage
through the Dail.
Roche
optimistic over Sellafield ruling
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche has said that the European
Court of Justice (ECJ) decision that the Republic acted illegally
by going to the UN over Sellafield will have positive consequences
in the longer term.
Cabinet
gives go-ahead for compulsory breath testing
The Cabinet has approved the Bill which allows for random or mandatory
breath testing, a ban on hand-held mobile telephone use by drivers
and extra penalties for serious road traffic offences.
Judges
to decide on objection against Sellafield
European judges are to rule on Tuesday, May 30th, on the legality
of a decision by the Irish government to complain to the United
Nations about the Sellafield nuclear plant.
Uninsured
drivers using internet for motor tax
Senator Joe O'Toole has told the Committee on Enterprise and Small
Business that uninsured motorists are using the internet to get
motor tax online.
Oil firms found guilty
of price fixing
Two oil campanies were fined E22,500 at Galway Circuit Court after
being involved in a cartel which fixed and increased the price of
home heating oil in Galway city and county.
Building
firm loses court quest on trade union action
A construction company lost its court plea on Tuesday, May 16th
to ban illegal actions by a trade union on its sites
Competition
Authority concerned about NCT monopoly
The Competition Authority is worried that the 10-year contract granted
for the operation of the national car testing (NCT) service is anti-competitive.
Drivers
escape convinction after failure of authority to enforce by-laws
The failure of a local authority to adopt new by-laws, needed to
implement change in speed limits from miles per hour to kilometres
per hour allowed a number of drivers to escape conviction and penalty
points.
Environment
activist condemns NRA's criticism of M3 delays
The environment campaigner Vincent Salafia has accused the National
Roads Authority (NRA) of attempting to 'poison public opinion' by
claiming that the planned M3 motorway has been delayed and that
these delays are costing E1 million a week.
Tribunal
hears CRH took 500,000 tonnes of sand from site
A tribunal has heard that the Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH) subsidiary
which purchased 145 acres at Glen Ding Wood, Co. Wicklow, from the
State for £1.25 million in 1990, has extracted less than 500,000
tonnes of sand and gravel from the site.
Oil
priice-fixing case continues
Three more home heating oil companies have pleaded guilty to being
part of a cartel in the West, which fixed the price of the fuel
during a 13-month period.
Man
faces jail over car price-fixing cartel
A man has been charged at Cork District Court with the illegal fixing
of prices for Ford cars in Ireland, which carries a sentence of
five years in jail if convicted.
Foreigners
use loophole
An Irish MEP has revealed that non-nationals driving in a foreign
country cannot get penalty points on their driving licences due
to a loophole in the law.
Regulations
to reduce noise pollution
The Environmental Noise Regulations 2006 will lessen the effects
of unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by road, rail and air
traffic from industrial sites from Tuesday, April 18th.
Trucker
gets five year ban
A truck driver who was in court to face charges of dangerous driving
has been disqualified from driving for five-years.
Tough
new legislations in place
The new Road Safety Bill that will be implemented over the course
of the next few weeks has seen the Government clamp down severely
on a number of offences.
New
Road Traffic Bill goes before cabinet
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen will present the New Road Traffic
Bill to the Cabinet on Wednesday 12th April, which includes some
interesting legislation.
Lorry
driver awarded compensation
A lorry driver from the Philippines has been awarded E6,600 after
his employer, Johnson Logistics was found guilty of underpaying
the defendant for four years.
Hijackers
in court
The three men accused of hijacking a lorry carrying E300,000 worth
of vodka from Baileboro to Dublin appeared at Longford District
Court on Tuesday morning (April 11th).
Dropping
of speeding fine over Irish could launch deluge of legal challenges
- Mitchell
Fine Gael Transport Spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD has warned of
a potential deluge of legal challenges to road traffic offences
because the necessary legislation has not been translated into Irish.
Father
blasts lenient sentence
A father, whose son was killed in a road traffic accident, revealed
his anger over the lenient sentence handed down to the young driver
that caused the fatality.
Inquest
into Pensioner's death continues
The inquest is continuing into the death of a Dublin pensioner,
who was killed when she was struck by a garda patrol car, while
standing waiting for a bus.
Penalty
points galore!
An additional 31 offences have been added to the list that can result
in drivers receiving penalty points and will come into effect next
Saturday, April 1st.
Two
year ban for refusal to provide urine sample
A woman who claimed her dignity would be compromised if she underwent
a drink-driving test has been banned from driving for two years.
Truckers
escape long hoursÕ wrath
Statistics have revealed that only 2 per cent of truckers caught
for driving beyond the legal time limit have been prosecuted by
the Irish courts.
Local
authorities to be named and shamed
The Government has vowed to name the local authorities who failed
to adhere to laws bringing in special low speed limits at schools,
hazardous road works and other dangerous areas.
Business
man fined 15k for part in oil price-fixing
A Mayo business man has been fined E15,000 and received a six-month
suspended sentence for his part in a home heating oil price-fixing
scam.
EU
licence on way
Plans to introduce an EU licence looks set to go ahead in the coming
weeks as transport ministers are set to rubber-stamp the move in
a bid to improve driving standards.
M3
not in clear yet
The controversy over the M3 motorway looks set to continue as a
new legal challenge may be about to take place, depending on the
outcome of a Supreme Court ruling on the National Monuments Act
next week.
Judge
slams Galway Oil companies
The case where three Oil companies have been accused of price-fixing
at the Circuit Court in Galway concluded with the judge describing
some fuel distributors as ‘sharks’.
Price-fixing
case begins
The opening day of the oil price-fixing trial by three companies
in the West of Ireland has seen the parties in question being labelled
‘bullies’ by a witness.
Victims'
mother calls for maximum sentence
A driver convicted of a double death was found guilty of causing
death by dangerous driving by a jury at Belfast Crown Court on Tuesday,
February 28th
Oil
price fixing case to make legal history
The Competition Authority’s investigation into alleged price-fixing
of home heating oil sees the first criminal trial being held at
the Galway Circuit Criminal Court today.
Loopholes
aid 12-point drivers
Fine Gael’s Transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell has revealed
that due to a number of loopholes in the law, motorists that have
gained 12-points for motoring offences are still driving.
Pay
or pay more
Motorists that fail to pay their speeding fines within the 28 day
cooling period will have to fork out more money once a new system
is introduced in April.
Court
case into Meath tragedies begin
Bus Eireann representatives attended Navan District Court on Wednesday
February 22nd to face a summons against them over the accident that
killed five schoolgirls last year.
Roche
to ensure Ringsend incinerator plans remain unchanged
Minister for the Environment Dick Roche will make sure that a proposed
incinerator for Ringsend would not get through fast-track planning
procedures announced by the Government on Thursday, February 16th.
Bray
Court finds metric speed limits at variance with law
It has emerged at Bray District Court that speed limits on some
major roads may not be working in accordance with the law.
Figures
show number of drivers banned after penalty points
New figures have revealed that a total of nineteen people have been
banned from driving after collecting twelve penalty points.
Fresh
legislation will mean seizure of foreign-registered cars
A legal loophole allowing only State-registered cars to be impounded
will be closed under new laws which will allow foreign-registered
cars to be confiscated.
Cullen
to end driving ban loophole
A loophole allowing drivers from the Republic to collect driving
bans in Britain, the Isle of Man or Northern Ireland and continue
driving in the Republic is to be closed by agreement with the British-Irish
Council.
Gardai
to be allowed seize all unregistered vehicles
New powers to allow gardai confiscate all untaxed or uninsured vehicles,
including foreign-registered cars driven by non-residents of the
State, will be introduced by the Minister for Transport.
Conflict
over Fishing Bill likely to resume with independent publication
The disagreement over the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction
Bill is likely to continue this week with a decision by the Joint
Oireachtas Committee on the Marine to publish its independent legal
opinion.
Mitchell
makes court plea over west-link mistakes
Fine Gael transport spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell has said that errors
made in the 1987 contract governing the operation of the west-link
bridge were repeated in the 2001 contract for the second bridge.
ARA
seizes assets after alleged fuel smuggling
Assets worth £700,000 belonging to two alleged fuel smugglers in
south Armagh have been frozen by the High Court.
New
penalty points system features 31 new offences
In addition to the current penalty points of speeding, driving without
insurance, failure to comply with front seat belt requirements,
failure to comply with rear seat belt requirements for passengers
and driving carelessly, drivers should note the following new offences.
Garda
expet claims corrupt motorists can evade new regime
It has been claimed that dishonest drivers may still be able to
escape punishment or receive lower penalties under the new penalty
points system.
Attorney
General supports random breath testing
The Garda Siochana is set to crack down on drink-driving after advice
from the Attorney General that random breath testing would be constitutional
and that existing laws can be used effectively in the meantime.
Conroy
says Garda force cannot confiscate non-Irish vehicles
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has said that the Garda Siochana
does not have powers to impound untaxed cars or uninsured foreign-registered
cars driven by non-residents of the State.
Ahern
confirms legality of random breath testing
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said in the Dail that random breath
testing is legal, constitutional and will be introduced.
Cullen
to implement new penalty point offences
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen is to announce full details
of 31 new penalty-points offences for drivers on Thursday, January
24th.
As
road death toll mounts, Cullen has called one press conference too
many - Mitchell
Fine Gael Transport Spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD has said Transport
Minister Martin Cullen is losing all credibility by choosing to
focus his first press conference for 2006 on a set of pre-planned
road projects and plans for new signposts, instead of addressing
the ongoing carnage on the roads.
FG
Calls for introduction of competition in the Dublin bus market
Fine Gael has called for the opening up of the Dublin bus market
to competition in a new policy document launched today by the Party's
Transport Spokeswoman, Olivia Mitchell T.D.
Court
strikes out challenge on landfill
A High Court challenge against the planning permission for a landfill
development near Dungarvan has been lost.
South
Dublin Council receives most legal claims
The Government is preparing to introduce new 30km/h limits in areas
with high pedestrian numbers with details emerging of the number
of legal challenges underway regarding the erection of speed ramps
in such areas.
Department
to alter stance on tinted windows
It's been reported that the Department of Transport has done a u-turn
on the planned ban on tinted windows.
Lorry
driver guilty of altering records
An Irish lorry driver whose truck hit and killed a man in England
has been found guilty of falsifying driving records.
Siptu
to liaise with lawyers to implement legal structure
Siptu officials involved in negotiations with Irish Ferries management
will spend the weekend with solicitors to try to build a legal framework
around the recent agreement.
Displaying
of transport discs to be made compulsory
New transport discs are to be made mandatory on the windscreens
of road haulage vehicles and buses.
Legislation
for drug-testing to be considered
Transport Minister Martin Cullen has said that legislation for drug-testing
drivers involved in traffic accidents will probably be needed.
Motorist
is given six-year ban
A motorist who drove up to 120kph to escape Gardai has been handed
a suspended jail sentence and banned from driving for six years.
Lorry
heist nets over 1 million pounds
Authorities in the North believe that cigarettes seized from a filling
station at the centre of the Assets Recovery Agency's (ARA) latest
case were from a £1million lorry heist.
Tunnel
may cost over one billion 'cause of claim
The main contractor on the Dublin Port Tunnel is expected to lodge
a claim reputedly worth 300 million euros which could push the cost
of the project near the one billion euros mark.
New
Garda radios can't be scanned
The recent case of a haulier who was convicted of listening in on
Gardai radio conversations may well be the last such instance as
new high tech radio equipment has been acquired by the force.
Pointless
penalty points
Upwards on 42,000 motorists have escaped getting penalty points
on their licences despite the fact that they were caught for a range
of offences, from having no insurance to speeding, it has been revealed.
Gardai
seize articulated truck and van in €11.5 million drugs swoop
Gardaí are still questioning five men who were arrested on
Tuesday (August 23) after separate drugs seizures, which netted
an estimated €11.5m worth of cannabis and cocaine
Councillor
moves to muzzle boy racers
A Fianna Fail county councillor has set out to muzzle so-called
boy racers, by calling on the Minister of the Environmnet to beef
up noise pollution legislation.
McDowell
claims new Traffic Corps will impact on criminality
The long-awaited 600-strong Traffic Corps will make a positive contribution
towards road safety and will make a positive impact on criminality,
according to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.
Louth
truck driver charged over fatal accident
A 45-year-old Co. Louth truck driver has been charged with dangerous
driving causing the death of a 12-year-old boy in Co. Cork earlier
this year.
Callely
confirms January 1 start date for digital tachographs
Junior Minister at the Department of Transport, Ivor Callely TD
has confirmed that all new HGVs registered after January 1 must
be fitted with digital tachographs.
High
Court to hear M3 challenge
The High Court has been asked to suspend archaeological work on
the most critically sensitive stretch of on the controversial M3
motorway, pending a final determination on the legality of the work.
Garda
traffic corps spells double trouble for motorists
The size of the Garda Traffic Corps has been doubled in an attempt
to reduce the carnage on the roads, senior Gardai have confirmed.
Traffic
Watch report in the offing
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy is still waiting on a report into
the Traffic Watch scheme, 10 months after he ordered an "urgent
review" of the initiative.
Legal
eagles get their claws into proposed M3
The save Skryne / Tara campaign has been granted leave by the High
Court to bring legal proceedings challenging a direction given by
Environment Minister Dick Roche regarding the treatment of almost
40 archaeological sites along the proposed route of the M3 motorway.
Calls
to boycott fuel stations
A Statement issued by the Pipeline Five issued through their families
has urged people to boycott Shell and Statoil petrol stations.
IRU
welcomes digital tachograph postponement
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has welcomed a decision
by the European Council of Transport Ministers to postpone the introduction
of the digital tachograph until January 1, 2006.
Insurance
companies await court ruling
The European Court of Justice is set to rule on whether insurance
companies can withhold compensation from passengers who suffer injuries,
while knowingly travelling in a vehicle driven by a drunk driver.
New
task force to tackle illegal hau |
