Sharp Rise in Drivers Caught Using Phones Prompts Calls for Tougher Penalties

 

Ireland: New figures released by the Department of Justice reveal a concerning surge in mobile phone use among Irish drivers, with nearly 60,000 offences recorded over the past three years—and 2025 already on track to become the worst year yet.

Between 2022 and 2024, Gardaí recorded 59,603 instances of drivers being caught using a mobile phone at the wheel. In 2024 alone, 21,888 offences were logged—up from 19,106 in 2023 and 18,609 in 2022. Already this year, 6,073 drivers have been penalised in the first three months, sparking alarm among road safety advocates and political leaders.

Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O’Sullivan, who obtained the data through a parliamentary question, expressed deep concern over the "steady increase" in phone-related driving offences.

“I see it every day as I drive the roads of my own constituency and the motorway to Leinster House. The prevalence and acceptance of these habits when behind the wheel is extremely concerning,” he said.

O’Sullivan believes there is a direct correlation between distracted driving and the recent uptick in road accidents nationwide. He also warned that the Easter bank holiday enforcement campaign—during which 225 fines were issued for phone use—suggests a broader problem.

“If that level of Garda operations was done every weekend, the possible number of offences would be enormous,” he added. “The casual use of the mobile phone while driving has become the norm for so many people.”

Senior Gardaí have reported increasingly alarming behaviour, with drivers being caught watching Netflix, attending online meetings, and scrolling through social media while on the move.

Amid these revelations, road safety advocates are demanding more severe repercussions for distracted driving. Leo Lieghio, Vice President of the Irish Road Victims Association, called the current statistics “disgraceful” and reiterated long-standing demands for harsher penalties.

“We have been screaming for a long, long time. We want double penalty points brought in,” said Lieghio. “The only thing that’s going to work is double penalty points. If you’re caught once, you get six penalty points, that’s your chance. If you’re caught again, you’re off the road and you’ve only yourself to blame.”

Lieghio emphasized that fines alone are not enough to deter drivers and warned that the number of undetected offences is likely far higher.

“People are not listening so they have to be made to listen. How many more people have to die, suffer life-altering injuries, for the Government and the courts to start treating this as a crime?”

Responding to the concerns raised, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan noted that road policing resources have been expanded since 2024. He pointed to an increased deployment of unmarked patrol cars and the rollout of static road safety cameras to help combat distracted driving.

As the public holiday crackdown continues, the growing epidemic of phone use behind the wheel is expected to remain a key focus of national road safety strategy—with pressure mounting for legislative action.