The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is looking to follow in the footsteps of UK authorities, with the introduction of a new penalty points alternative.

"Speed awareness" courses were introduced across the UK in 2006, in a bid to re-educate drivers on the consequences of speeding.

The RSA is reportedly seeking to implement a similar scheme in Ireland.

On Lunchtime Live, Bolger School of Motoring’s Brenda Bolger said she thinks education should be prioritised over penalty points.

“When people are punished with fines and penalty points, no education has taken place,” she said.

“If no education has taken place, there’s not necessarily going to be a change – it might be a temporary change in behaviour because they don’t want to get caught again, or the don’t want to have six penalty points – but I do think education is the key.”

Reading text message while driving a car. Image: Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Bolger also said this system would ‘level the playing field’ when it comes to punishments.

“A fine of €80 for somebody on €20,000 a year is a lot of money, but a fine of €80 for somebody who was on €80,000 a year isn’t a lot of money,” she said.

“So, at least if you’re going through the education process, everybody is on a level playing field and everybody’s getting the same level of education.

“Perhaps if your bad driving behaviour continues after you’ve undergone some courses, well then let’s start putting in penalty points and fines.”

'People don't care'

Caller Martin from Kilkenny disagreed and said this system would be a ‘waste of time’.

“We hear the news every day – all the serious crashes, people being killed, badly injured – we all know about that, and we know what are the causes of it,” he said.

“Everyone listens to the radio, watches the TV – they know about all this carnage on the road, they just don’t care.

“I see them every day on the road - I drive a high van, and I can see the people every day on their phone, texting while they’re driving – they don’t care.”

'It's stopping that's the problem'

Caller Alan is a bus driver in Dublin and said that he also sees distracted drivers on the daily – even spotting one person who was knitting at the wheel of their car.

“I don’t think enough drivers have the experience to stop a vehicle at speed,” he said.

“I can go back to when I started driving, my driving instructor said, ‘anyone can drive fast – but it’s stopping that’s the problem’.”

Alan said that these courses would improve people’s understanding of the dangers of distracted driving.

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