Again, a stupid law that is already covered by "undue attention" etc. Now, if a garda in a passing squad car notices you chatting while steering and then pulls you, is he paying due care and attention to his driving? What about changing radio stations? Opening manually or pressing the electric window button? I know some people who are barely capable of breathing and changing gears simultaneously. I also know people that can keep lots of hoops in the air, whistle AND breathe. Many years ago, the gardai said that listening to the radio would distract drivers. This, of course, did not include officers on their hand held gadgets. Who makes these rules?
I suppose within there is the question and answer. Sometimes the generality of Primary Legislation needs some focus and specifics. Case in point the gardai saying that listening to the radio is a distraction would you really want to leave that kind of decision down to the whim of an individual at an individual point in time on an individual day?
If it was left open to the opinion of the individual garda with no guidance or specific offences you wouldn't have consistency. You'd be done for eating a bounty in the car in Swords, but ok in Navan or something. Also, the legislation sets out the penalty points for specific offences, it doesn't mean that other offences don't exist, just that these offences carry set pps.
It'd be an ideal world where a general statement in legislation could be consistently enforced.
Slightly back on topic, and on the line of self-incrimination, I was... I mean a friend of mine, happens to have been an idiot and left their NCT to the last minute not planning on this whole crock kicking off and so when I...they, went to renew, they got stuck in with the panic bookings and now has 2 months to wait. Anyway stopped at a check point, sweating copiously, had out the booking forms as well as pleas for mercy and tales woe, garda stops the car, looks at the discs and waves me on without a by or leave. So much for clamping down just yet.
Cue numerous in car jokes about how the emissions test would have been failed at that point. In my, his, defence it was the dinner of cabbage the previous day and nothing to do with thinking they'd be nicked.