Road safety campaigners are hitting out at the number of people escaping punishment for using a mobile phone while driving.

According to the Courts Service, over 15,000 drivers were sent a court summons for related offences between January 2013 and March 2015.

However for various technical and settlement reasons - including the ongoing use of the 'poor box' donation arrangment, 71% weren't convicted.

Independent TD Tommy Broughan has told The Irish Times that the penalty points system needs a 'root and branch' review.