*James Breen. Photograph: Gary Collins
OLDER DRIVERS should receive no penalty points and only a fine when caught for their first offence of speeding, a former Clare TD has argued.
James Breen who served as an Independent TD for Clare from 2002 to 2007 has this week wrote to the Minster for Justice, Helen McEntee (FG).
Kilnamona native Breen said senior citizens requested him to contact the Minister. “They are concerned that if they are caught speeding they receive a fine and penalty points which makes it difficult for them to secure insurance”.
He told The Clare Echo, “I maintain a person driving for 60 years and hasn’t come to attention to attention of Gardaí, they should get a fine and not penalty points for their first speeding offence”. Should they reoffend he agreed that a fine and points were warranted.
Breen who also served as Mayor of Clare said he was compelled to contact the Minister with the proposal after a motorist for sixty five years “who never came to the attention” of Gardaí was left “very aggrieved” when they received penalty points. “The person was barely over the limit, the first offence should never be penalty points,” he added.
