A man was fined after he was caught attempting to race an unmarked Garda car in Dublin(Image: Garda Facebook)

Dublin motorist handed hefty fine after 'trying to race unmarked Garda car' on the M50

The driver was caught by members of the Garda Road Policing Unit who were patrolling the M50 over the weekend

by · Irish Mirror

A Dublin motorist was pulled over and issued with an 'on-the-spot' fine after attempting to race an unmarked Garda car over the weekend.

Members of the Garda Road Policing Unit who were on patrol of the M50 over the weekend were kept busy after a number of motorists were "found committing road traffic offences," according to a post shared on social media.

One of the motorists who was caught out was the driver of a Volkswagen Passat who attempted to race an unmarked Garda car.

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The motorist was immediately pulled over by gardai and and issued a fine on the spot.

A Garda spokesperson said on Facebook: "Some of our Roads Policing Gardaí based in Dublin Castle were on patrol of the M50 over the weekend.

"Among those they detected committing road traffic offences were the driver of this car who attempted to race their unmarked Garda car.

"Fortunately, for their safety and that of other road users he was stopped [and] was issued an on the spot fine."

Motorists who are caught driving over the speed limit will receive three penalty points and a fixed charge fine of €160. If they do not pay the fine within 28 days, it increases to €240. If they do not pay this within 28 days (56 days from the original fine notification date), the driver will be summonsed to court where, if convicted, they could be fined up to €1000 and receive up to 5 penalty points.

It is also an offence to drive in a public place without due care and attention. If a Garda believes that a motorist has driven carelessly, but no accident resulted, the Garda can issue them with two penalty points and an €80 fixed charge for “driving without reasonable consideration”. This rises to €120 if not paid within 28 days. If the motorist is convicted in court, they could be fined a higher amount and will get four penalty points.

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