A tractor driver is set for a day in court after they were brought to haul by Gardaí in Co Waterford over the weekend.
Gardaí on patrol of the county on Saturday, June 26th, observed a motorist on their phone whilst driving a tractor, that was out of tax for nine years.
In a tweet, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“Gardaí on patrol in Waterford on Saturday observed the driver of this tractor checking their messages on their phone.”
“The tractor was stopped, and it was discovered his tax expired in 2012, around 3250 days previous. An FCPN was issued, and court proceedings are to follow.”
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.
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.
Court for tractor driver with no tax or insurance
Last month, Gardaí in Cavan stopped a tractor whilst conducting a checkpoint with the RSA (Road Safety Authority).
They discovered that the tractor had no tax or insurance and subsequently seized the vehicle.
In a tweet, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“Cavan Roads Policing Unit conducting checkpoints with the RSA stopped this tractor driver with no tax and no insurance. Tractor seized and court to follow.”
In a post on social media, a spokesperson for Cavan Monaghan Garda Division, said: “The driver was driving while uninsured, and there was no tax on the tractor.”
“This time of year, there is a huge increase in agricultural vehicles on our roads. We want to appeal to all road users to exercise care and to have patience.”
“If you are driving a tractor, be conscious of traffic building up behind you. It is very often easy to pull in and let some of the traffic pass. Always remember not to be using a mobile phone when driving and think road safety.”
