Penalty points needed to be doubled "immediately" to help combat the rising death toll on Irish roads this year, a leading road safety campaigner has said. 

It comes as five people have died on roads over the last 48 hours from separate incidents in Cork, Dublin and Carlow.

That brings the total number of fatalities on roads so far this year to 69 - up 18 more than this time last year.

On Newstalk Breakfast today, Irish Road Victims Association Vice President Leo Lieghio called for tougher actions on road safety.

“I’d like to see double penalty points brought in immediately for all offences, speeding, drink driving, and holding mobile phones,” he said.

“People don’t have the fear anymore that they did when penalty points were first brought in.

“They need that fear of losing their car to slow down and stop using their phone.”

Equipment

Mr Lieghio said Gardaí also needs to be equipped with the necessary equipment needed “to put an end to this carnage”.

“It’s so sad to see a third of all these deaths are young people,” he said.

“Why can’t we use speed limiters? Speed limiters should be in all cars and alcohol interlocking devices.

“The technology is out there, there’s so much that can be done - but it’s not being done.”

Shane Ross arriving for a Cabinet meeting in Dublin, 9-1-20, Image: Rolingnews.ie

Former transport minister Shane Ross said he agreed more needs to be done.

“I think the situation has become absolutely critical and some of the players involved are being spectators as people are dying,” he said.

“There is a reluctance on behalf of people who are in charge to take the necessary measures to reduce road deaths.”

Enforcement

Mr Ross said some of the blame lies with Garda enforcement.

“There aren’t enough Gardaí  on the roads,” he said.

“Enforcement is a big problem, but it’s not the only problem.

“The other problem is there is massive resistance from backbenchers in the two main political parties to get the measures we need in.”

Drink driving

Mr Ross said another issue is that drink driving “is back”.

“It’s as bad as ever at the moment, you can see that by the figures that are out there,” he said.

“It has become socially acceptable for people to take these risks and people think they won’t be caught.”

Around 7,500 people were arrested in Ireland last year on suspicion of intoxicated driving.

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Main image: A Garda checkpoint. Image: Leon Farrell/Rollingnews.com