Anyone caught texting or emailing while driving will be liable for a mandatory court summons and a thousand euro fine under new legislation which comes into force today.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar says texting while driving is serious enough to warrant a summons which means it now ranks alongside drink and drug-driving.
The fine will rise to a maximum of 2 thousand euro for a second offence and a possible 3 month jail term.
Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey says the new legislation is necessary:
