Ireland considers tougher penalties for speeding

The Irish transport minister Shane Ross has called for tougher penalties for drivers that speed.

Responding to the latest road death figures for Ireland, which were lower than the previous year, he told the Irish Times newspaper that speeding should be treated like drink driving, with more penalty points for those that exceed speed limits by a higher degree.

In the United Kingdom, between 3 and 6 penalty points can be given for speeding offences.

Mr Ross also indicated that he was considering more severe penalties for using a mobile phone at the wheel, which is currently limited to 3 penalty points.