Charles wrote:
> In the current situation Paul we were for sure. But one question my
> guess is that the points in Ireland only apply to drivers as it could
> be complex otherwise given many passangers wouldnt even have a
> licence. Am I right in this Paul?? Otherwise what for passangers?

Yes, the points apply only to the driver, either for failure buckle up
himself or for allowing a child to ride unbuckled (except they've set
the age at which the driver ceases to be responsible at 17 instead of 14
as it is in the U.K.).

Even if one accepts the idea of compulsion to use belts -- which we
don't, of course -- this raises questions of disparity in penalties
between drivers and passengers.

Why should the driver be subject to a harsher penalty (fine PLUS points)
than a passenger who is doing exactly the same thing? This means that
a driver could end up having his license suspended over multiple belt
violations, while a passenger with just as many citations only pays the
fine, even if he is a driver himself.

Here's some information on the introduction of the penalty point system
in Ireland:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/travel-and-recreation/motoring-1/dr\
iving-offences/penalty-points-for-driving-offences

And here's a list of the offenses which currently attract points:

http://www.penaltypoints.ie/the_full_list_of_offences.php

Notice how a belt violation carries more points than driving on the
wrong side of the road or driving the wrong way down a one-way street!

-Paul.