A motorist towing a trailer is set to appear before court after Gardaí in Kilkenny brought them to a halt yesterday (Saturday, July 3rd).
Kilkenny Roads Policing stopped the jeep and trailer as the driver was on their mobile phone and not wearing a seat belt.
However, Gardaí discovered numerous other road traffic-related offences.
Gardaí in Kilkenny stop driver
In a statement, a spokesperson for Garda Síochána Kilkenny/Carlow, said:
“This vehicle was stopped by Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit in Johnstown this morning as the driver was on the mobile phone and not wearing a seat belt.”
“Using the mobility device, it was discovered to be out of tax 3319 days. The vehicle was also using green diesel.”
“Customs officers from Kilkenny attended and sampled the fuel. Prosecutions to follow for all offences. Vehicle seized under Section 41 of RTA,” the spokesperson concluded.
Mobile phones and driving
According to the RSA (Road Safety Authority of Ireland), you can only use your mobile when you are driving if you are phoning 999 or 112, or in an emergency.
It is an offence to hold a mobile phone in your hand or support it with another part of your body. For example, between your head and shoulder, when you are driving.
Also, since April 2014, it is illegal to send or read a text message on a mobile phone while driving. If Gardaí charge you with a mobile and driving offence, you will get a fixed charged notice of €60.
Furthermore, if you pay the fixed charge, you will get three penalty points. If you choose not to pay the fixed charge and are then convicted in court, you will get five penalty points and a fine of up to €2,000.
Motor tax and insurance According to VRT Ireland, motor tax for agricultural tractors costs €102 yearly. CitizensInformation. i.e. states that it is a legal requirement to pay motor tax if you wish to drive your vehicle in a public place.
Also, by law, you must have motor insurance before you can drive in a public place.
Green diesel
Revenue defines marked gas oil (MGO) as “diesel on which mineral oil tax at a reduced rate has been paid on condition that it is used only for purposes that qualify for that reduced rate”.
Furthermore, it is chemically marked and dyed green to deter misuse for purposes to which a higher tax rate applies.
Revenue markers are added to marked gas oil and marked kerosene. The purpose is to distinguish between the standard tax rate of auto fuel (road diesel) and the reduced tax rates of these products.
The markers added to Marked Gas Oil produce a green colour, and the markers added to marked kerosene produce a red colour.
On its website, Revenue states that it is illegal to use marked gas oil or marked kerosene in road vehicles.
Where Revenue officers suspect or detect the presence of the fuel marker in a road vehicle, it is liable to seizure. The owner and, or driver, Revenue added, are liable to prosecution.
