Road Traffic Law

Learner drivers will no longer be allowed to repeatedly renew their learner permits without taking a driving test. Regulations now in effect mean that learner drivers who have held a permit in category A, A1, A2, AM, B or W for four years will have to take a practical driving test before renewing th

New legislation is to tackle inconsiderate pavement parking across Northern Ireland. Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins said secondary legislation would be brought forward to ban parking wholly on a pavement or across dropped kerbs for pedestrian access, as well as banning double parking.

The Court of Appeal has affirmed the answers of the High Court given in response to a case stated concerning whether fair procedures require Gardaí to warn of the ramifications of electing to provide a blood or urine sample pursuant to a request under s.12(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 2010.

A damning report has found that some gardaí brazenly refuse to do their jobs properly and face virtually no consequences for it. An Garda Síochána yesterday published a report into Garda roads policing units (RPUs) which consultancy firm Crowe was commissioned in February 2024 t

A solicitor specialising in car accident claims has backed a campaign aimed at ensuring child car seats are properly fitted. Maria Lakes, a partner at Tracey Solicitors LLP and the mother of two children, has encouraged fellow parents to take advantage of free checks offered by the Road Safety Autho

The High Court has overturned a drunk driving conviction following a trial where the prosecution failed to lead evidence on the chain of custody of a blood sample. Ms Justice Sara Phelan last week granted an order of certiorari quashing the District Court’s 2024 conviction of the applicant, An

The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal against a judgment of the High Court which found that the District Court did not err in dismissing a case against a man who operated a taxi service without the licences required by the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013-2016. Delivering judgment for the High Court, M

Lorcan Staines SC has been appointed to lead a review of bail laws as part of the government's response to the killing of law graduate Shane O'Farrell in 2011. Mr O'Farrell, who completed his LLB at University College Dublin and his LLM at Trinity College Dublin, was struck and killed by a motorist

New legislation is under consideration in Northern Ireland to tackle the use of mobile phone by motorists while driving. The Department for Infrastructure is carrying out a 12-week public consultation on plans to make it illegal to use a handheld mobile while driving for activities like taking photo

Over €700 million in compensation has been awarded for injuries sustained in almost 40,000 motor accidents over the past six years by the Injuries Resolution Board, according to a new report. The State body, previously known as the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), today published a co

The High Court has answered a consultative case stated concerning the validity of a fixed charge notice in circumstances where certain particulars were omitted therefrom. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan highlighted that “by virtue of the FCN the defendan

New legislation will allow local authorities to request, receive and process road collision data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána. Ministers yesterday approved the drafting of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025, which it says will enable local

Providing false or misleading information while applying for or renewing a disabled parking permit is now a criminal offence. Legislation which came into effect yesterday will enable prosecution of people making fraudulent applications for disabled parking permits, with penalties being a fine of up

Legislation closing a so-called loophole allowing some motorists to avoid a six-month driving ban will come into effect at the end of the month. Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2024 amends the Road Traffic Act 2002 to prevent drivers who have accumulated penalty points and are due for a six-month

Solicitor Patrick Horan welcomes a Circuit Court ruling which held that defendants in drink driving cases have a right to inspect Garda breathalysers. In a groundbreaking decision with far-reaching implications for drink driving cases across Ireland, a ruling at Clonmel Circuit Court has determined