The penalty points for speeding, using a mobile phone and not using seatbelts or child restraints will increase on Friday. The new Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe said the penalty points will go from two points to three for the offences if you pay the fine when required.

For those who do not pay the fixed charge and are subsequently convicted in court, the points will increase from four to five.

Mr Donohoe said "The job of making our roads safer involves a wide range of measures, and the penalty points system has proven to be an important component in this process".

"The increases which I have signed into effect will impact on a number of areas which are very serious and can have fatal consequences. We have seen a culture change in recent years in attitudes to drink driving and I want to see the same change in attitude where speeding, using phones while driving and wearing seat belts are concerned. These measures will help to reinforce that change" he added.

The new 'Novice' driver category is also coming into effect on August 1st. This means those who get their first full driving licence after that date will have to display 'N' plates for the first two years.

Novices will be subject to lower blood-alcohol limits as well as having a lower penalty point threshold.

They will face disqualification from driving for six months if they reach seven penalty points, as opposed to the current 12.

The seven-point limit will also apply to people who get their first learner permit on or after August 1st. A person who is already a learner will remain on the 12-point limit while they are a learner and when they become a 'Novice'.

And a person already in their first two years of a full licence before August 1st will not be required to display an 'N' plate and will not be subject to the seven-point limit.