by Gráinne Connolly
On Monday (1 August) laws were changed so that driving bans will now be recognized on both sides of the Northern Ireland and Republic borders.
This will give effect to a road safety agreement signed back in 2015, between the Irish and UK governments.
The new law means that anyone with a diving ban on either side of the border, will be unable to breach that ban in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The Minister for Tranport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD said:
"The mutual recognition of driving disqualifications is an important road safety measure because it aims to target dangerous drivers on our roads.
"The disqualifications relate to drivers disqualified for reckless or dangerous driving, hit and run driving, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."
The Minister added how important this new law is for both Ireland and the UK as it's "one of serious" that he's introducing to "reduce road injuries and ultimately save lives.
“Maintaining the common travel area and our economic links with the UK are important priorities for Ireland, and this Agreement will make a contribution towards that objective, as well as making an important contribution to road safety.
"The new measures are underpinned by an International Agreement between Ireland and the UK, which comes into effect today and primary legislative provisions in Ireland and the UK, which have been commenced today.
"Under the Ireland / UK Agreement, the driving disqualification is, in effect, transferred by the State which imposes it to the licence of the offender’s ‘home’ State. So, the legal consequence of the offence committed follows the offender home."
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