Vol. 429 No. 3
114 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions which have been made concerning the use of car phones by drivers; if the gardaí have received instructions about the dangerous use of car phones by drivers; the tactics, if any, which have been adopted by the gardaí to combat the growing misuse of car phones by drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no specific provision under the Road Traffic Acts prohibiting the use of car telephones by drivers of moving vehicles although on occasion the use of these devices in moving vehicles may give rise to breaches of the law such as dangerous driving and driving without care and attention. Where such breaches are detected by the gardaí, the individuals concerned are prosecuted in accordance with normal procedures.
The problems caused by the dangerous use of car telephones have been discussed at Garda training courses and seminars and all members of the force are aware of the law in this respect, and are enforcing it.
Because of the way statistics are maintained it is not possible to indicate the number of prosecutions which resulted from the use of car telephones in moving vehicles.
