GARDAI have charged, on average, three motorists a day since June 22 as they crack down on disqualified drivers.
In total 87 disqualified drivers have been arrested and charged since this date while a further 30 have been charged with multiple offences.
Prison sentences have also been imposed on four disqualified drivers since June 22 when gardaà were given new powers to arrest disqualified drivers on the spot if found driving any vehicle in a public place.
Up until this date it was not possible to arrest a disqualified driver at the time of interception and the driver would subsequently be made amenable by summons or charge at a later date.
However, this new power now enables gardaà around the country to immediately arrest these high risk offenders, convey them to the nearest Garda station, charge them with the specific offence of driving whilst disqualified and bring them to the earliest available court sitting.
Last week, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, welcomed reports from the gardaà in their progress in dealing with people who are driving while their licence has been disqualified.
“While it is worrying that driving while disqualified is happening to such an extent, it is excellent news that so many arrests are being made by the gardai in this area,
? the minister stated.
“This was an issue that had been identified to me as needing attention so in June I commenced certain sections of the Road Traffic Act 2014 giving the guards automatic power of arrest when they identified a driver on the roads who had a disqualified licence.
“In the past, those who flouted the law in this way would have been summoned to court, which may have taken many months. The gardaà are now able to deal with this sort of criminal activity in a much more immediate way, helping to keep our roads safer and ultimately saving lives.
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Chief Superintendent Mark Curran of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said it was unacceptable that drivers who had lost their licence either through the accumulation of penalty points or in court continued to drive.
“Since this new law to arrest disqualified drivers on the spot came into operation on June 22 our members have been working hard to ensure that they are intercepted and removed from the roads.
“It must be noted that many of these disqualified drivers have many serious previous convictions
“We will continue to seek out these high risk drivers, as they cannot be allowed to endanger other road users or engage in any criminal activity.
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“The prison sentences imposed to date sends out a very clear message that should be heeded by any disqualified driver.
“Do not drive if you are disqualified.
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