The Transport Minister has published a new Bill which will see tougher penalty points introduced for speeding, using mobile phones and not wearing seat belts. Leo Varadkar says the Road Traffic Bill see points for each of the offences rise from 2 to 3 on fixed charges and up from 4 to 5 on conviction.

The legislation also provides for roadside drug impairment tests.

It was published at a meeting of the European Transport Safety Council which puts Ireland 5th at reducing road deaths since 2001.

The Bill was drafted following consultation with the Oireachtas Transport Committee, in particular the changes to the penalty points system.

It means that:

• Speeding will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4)
• Mobile phone use will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4)
• Non-wearing of seatbelts will now attract 3 points on payment of fixed charge and 5 on conviction (previously 2 and 4)
• Other offences - such as non-display of an NCT certificate - which at present involve a Court appearance, will attract 2 points on payment of fixed charge

A novice licence and new 'N' plates will be issued to drivers for the first two years after passing their test.

It will also set the disqualifying level for novice and learner drivers at 6 penalty points, which is half the level for other drivers. Learner drivers will also have to to produce a log book indicating that they have undertaken a minimum of accompanied driving experience before taking a driving test.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar says he hopes it will lead to a marked improvement in road safety. He says new drug tests are also on the way.

Meanwhile gardai say they will be out in force as part of a new road safety campaign called "Fatal Friday." It comes after traffic chiefs began to notice a trend emerging in road deaths.

So far this year 91 people have lost their lives in crashes with 21 of those tragedies occurring on a Friday.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid of the Garda Traffic Corps outlines why its a risky time of the week.

"large volumes of road users on the road, in particular speed zones - 50 kilometre per hour, 60 kilometre per hour - and we're asking on a Friday evening when people are heading home from work never, ever drink and drive; because there is always an element of socialising at the end of a working week" he added.