Sharp Rise in Drivers Caught Using Mobile Phones Prompts Calls for Tougher Penalties

New figures have revealed a worrying upward trend in the number of motorists being caught using mobile phones while driving, with nearly 60,000 offences recorded in the last three years.

Between 2022 and 2024, An Garda Síochána detected 59,603 drivers flouting mobile phone laws—a figure that continues to climb. In 2022, 18,609 offences were recorded, rising to 19,106 in 2023, and surging to 21,888 in 2024. Data from the first quarter of 2025 suggests the trend shows no sign of slowing, with 6,073 motorists already apprehended—a pace that could make this year the worst on record.

Senior gardaí have voiced growing concern about the nature of phone use behind the wheel, reporting incidents of drivers engaging in video streaming, online meetings, and social media interactions while driving.

The Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) and other road safety advocates are urging the Government to introduce stricter penalties, including the automatic disqualification of repeat offenders. The IRVA has labelled the current situation as “disgraceful” and argues that increasing penalty points—from the current three to six for a first offence—would serve as a more effective deterrent than monetary fines alone.

Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O’Sullivan, who obtained the figures via a parliamentary question, described the consistent rise in offences as “deeply troubling”. He attributes the growth in phone-related driving violations to a broader increase in road traffic incidents nationwide. Mr O’Sullivan also cited the recent Easter bank holiday as a case in point, during which 225 fines were issued in a single Garda enforcement operation.

“If that level of enforcement took place every weekend, the volume of offences would be staggering,” he remarked. “It’s clear the casual use of mobile phones behind the wheel has become a societal norm, and that must change.”

Mr Leo Lieghio, Vice President of the IRVA, reinforced this sentiment, calling for robust legislative action. “People aren’t listening. Doubling the penalty points is the only meaningful deterrent. If you’re caught once, that’s six points. Get caught again and you’re off the road.”

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan responded to Mr O’Sullivan’s concerns by outlining recent enhancements in road policing, including an increase in unmarked Garda patrols and an expansion of static roadside safety cameras—measures aimed at bolstering compliance and addressing the persistent issue of distracted driving.

As calls for legislative reform grow louder, road safety advocates are urging policymakers to treat mobile phone use at the wheel not merely as a traffic violation, but as a serious public safety threat.