3 days ago
Only 60 of 4,800 dangerous driving reports to online Traffic Watch system result in a fine
Only a small percentage of the thousands of reports to the garda online Traffic Watch system result in fines being issued to drivers.
The online Traffic Watch system has received 4,885 reports of dangerous driving in the first nine months of operation, but just 60 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to drivers so far on the back of the reports.
The online system, which allows members of the public to report dangerous driving, replaced the Traffic Watch phoneline which operated for 10 years.
On the back of the 4,885 reports, 60 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued, of which 30 have resulted in the payment of a fine so far.
The statistics were released to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide who said it raises concerns that such a small fraction of fines emanated from a large volume of incidents reported through the online system.
"It would be important to know how resourced this system is to carry out its work, given the wider failure of successive governments to adequately staff the Gardaí," said Mr Quaide.
Once received, the online reports are logged by garda staff at the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) who then forward the reports to the superintendent in the relevant area to progress.
A member of An Garda Síochána is then appointed to investigate the complaint, contacting the person who submitted the report to ascertain what occurred, whether there were any other witnesses and to take a written statement.
Photographs and videos of incidents cannot be uploaded as part of the initial complaint but can be handed over to the investigating garda.
If it is believed an offence has been committed following the investigation, a file is submitted to the superintendent who will decide what, if any action, is to be taken.
Traffic Watch has been hailed as a very important tool by Gardaí as it "empowers responsible road users to work with An Garda Síochána in enhancing road safety for all".
"Traffic watch has been important over the years in providing an opportunity where responsible and safe road users can report aggressive and careless drivers," garda assistant commissioner Paula Hilman previously said.
The system is designed to address inappropriate and dangerous driving behaviour that occurs on the roads but does not lead to an immediate emergency situation, such as illegal parking, tailgating, or use of a phone while driving.
Reports made are not anonymous and complainants are required to provide contact details and can potentially be called to give evidence in court.
Bank holiday weekend operation
Meanwhile, gardaí were out on roads across the country as part of a bank holiday roads policing operation which saw 1,030 drivers caught speeding in the first two days.
Among those were a driver in Midleton, Cork, who was detected doing 151km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N25; another in Belturbet, Cavan, driving at 143km/h in a 100km/h zone; and one driving at 103km/h in a 60km/h zone in Ballaghadereen, Roscommon.
The first 48 hours of the operation also saw 54 people arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving while fines were also issued to drivers using their mobile phones and for seatbelt offences.
