Latest news with #RPU
Daily Mirror
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned over spare tyre mistake that could trigger police stop
Typically space saver tyres have a speed limit of 50 mph and provide less grip than regular tyres because they are narrower and have reduced tread, affecting the vehicle's handling Many Brit drivers are unaware of key rules regarding the use of their 'space saver' tyres — the smaller, lighter temporary spare wheels that can still be found in many cars. These tyres are designed for emergency use only, enabling a driver to reach a garage or repair shop after suffering a puncture. Typically, space saver tyres have a speed limit of 50 mph and provide less grip than regular tyres because they are narrower and have reduced tread, affecting the vehicle's handling and stability. A critical yet often overlooked fact is that space saver tyres frequently come with specific restrictions about where on the vehicle they can be fitted. It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule. Depending on whether the car is front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, the space saver may only be safe for use on either the front or rear axle. Installing it on the wrong one can damage important components including the brakes and transmission. Managing director of Select Car Leasing, Graham Conway, explains that many modern cars no longer carry space saver tyres, opting instead for tyre repair and inflation kits. However, if you do have a space saver, it's crucial to understand how to use it correctly in emergencies. He said: "Some space savers tyres come with specific rules about where they can be fitted and you might be restricted in using them at either the front or at the rear of the vehicle. Check the instructions carefully, consult a trusted mechanic, and understand what sort of space saver you're carrying before you set off on a long summer road trip." Graham also stressed that drivers should be confident in their ability to change a tyre before attempting to fit a space saver, warning against doing in hazardous circumstances. He advised: "Never change a tyre at the side of a motorway as it's just too dangerous. Contact a breakdown service instead." Using a space saver in the wrong way is not illegal, but can attract police attention. A July 20 post on the Idiot UK Drivers Exposed Facebook page read: "The Civic was stopped by RPU due to the space saver on a driven axle. Checks reveal the drivers entitlement to drive in the UK ran out two years ago. The Vehicle was seized & the Driver was reported to court." So while space saver tyres still serve as an important emergency measure, they must be used properly, including observing any stated reduced speed limits and fitting the tyre safely on the correct axle according to vehicle's drive type.
Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Lack of transparency' – Garda representative groups hit out at ‘drip feeding' of report on road policing gardaí
On Thursday, a meeting of the Policing and Community Safety Authority heard that the Crowe Report highlighted how some gardaí working in roads policing units showed 'blatant disregard' for their job and were 'openly hostile" to it. While the report has not yet been released publicly, details contained within it were aired at the meeting, with both Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Chair of the PCSA Elaine Byrne describing these as 'shocking'. The policing bodies representing rank-and-file and supervisory gardí have now denounced what they say is the 'drip feeding' of information into the public domain. The Garda Representative Association (GRA) described it as 'another insult to our overworked and under-resourced' roads policing colleagues and added that the quoting from a report which hasn't been released is 'entirely inappropriate and disrespectful' to its members. 'It appears that for a number of months the Commissioner has been aware of alleged serious issues within the Roads Policing Unit (RPU), but it seems that he failed to take any action. Instead the Commissioner abdicated his responsibilities to another external consultancy firm. "This once again highlights the style of management that has dramatically impacted on the morale and motivation of all members within AGS.' The GRA, which represents almost 11,000 frontline gardaí, also said that the initial feedback from its members who interacted with the Crowe Report 'is at odds' with comments made before the committee. 'Members of the RPU are dedicated members who conscientiously enforce the road traffic acts on a daily basis. "We now anxiously await full publication of this Report and question whether any findings will substantiate the damaging allegations made against our members and the effect on the families of victims of road fatalities and to our colleagues who have died in the line of duty. "This is another blow to the frontline members of a crippling An Garda Síochána rocked by low morale, low numbers and career uncertainty." The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), which represents around 2,500 mid-ranking gardaí, has called on the full report to be released. It said it 'is deeply concerned by the reported contents of the Crowe Report, which appears to be highly critical of how An Garda Síochána, under Commissioner Harris' leadership, has overseen and supported personnel within a specific section of the organisation, namely Roads Policing. 'Despite its serious implications for our members, the supervisory and middle management of An Garda Síochána, the report has not been released to this Association. As a result, AGSI is prevented from commenting in any informed way on its contents or responding meaningfully to the public commentary surrounding it. 'This lack of transparency and the manner by which this report has entered the public domain is symptomatic of the broader dysfunctionality in how consultation and internal industrial relations matters have been handled within An Garda Síochána.' The AGSI said it was disappointed at how the information was released and that the report's findings should be used for 'dialogue and progressive reform', rather than 'undermining the reputation of hard-working, frontline Gardaí.' The PCSA had received the report in June which found some members showed a 'blatant disregard' for their job, even while they knew their actions were being directly reviewed. 'They were openly hostile to doing their job,' Elaine Byrne said, in what she described as a 'wake-up call' for An Garda Síochána. 'There are members within roads policing who seem very much uninterested in their job, and this is something that we are concerned about in terms of performance of individual guards, and it's something that the previous authority have looked upon, and the current authority would have concerns about the absence of performance management within the gardaí,' the PSCA chair said after the meeting. She said the authority had also been 'shocked' by a fear of carrying out performance management among garda managers. Ms Byrne also urged the Garda Commissioner to publish the report in due course, which Mr Harris said he would do soon. 'What I'll undertake to do is, we just do one final read through the report. I just want to be sure nobody's identifiable, and then we can issue the report,' he said. 'It did arise from anonymous correspondence that I received, obviously from a roads policing member and although anonymous, it had certainly a ring of authenticity about that.'
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
‘Kevin's focus was always on helping people' – Taoiseach and President among thousands of people at funeral of Garda Flatley
Garda Kevin Flatley, who died on Sunday when he was struck by a motorcycle, was one of the most helpful men you could ever meet, mourners were told. President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and several other Government ministers were among those who attended requiem mass for the 49-year-old married father-of-two at St Peter and Paul's Church in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, on Friday afternoon. Garda Flatley, originally from Newcastle, Co Dublin, had served in the force for 26 years and had been with the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) since 2018. He died after being hit by a motorcycle as he was recording vehicle speeds on the R132 at Lanestown in north Co Dublin on Sunday afternoon. A motorcyclist, aged in his 30s, was seriously injured in the incident. Garda motorcycle colleagues from the Dublin Metropolitan Region's RPU were among those who formed a long guard of honour outside the church as the hearse arrived ahead of Friday's mass. Two members of the Garda led the cortege, one carrying the tricolour and the other the flag of An Garda Síochána. The bells of the church rang as the coffin arrived. A large number of uniformed gardaí walked to the church with fellow mourners, including Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Inside the church, as the service began, members of the Garda's Ceremonial Unit placed the tricolour on Garda Flatley's coffin, along with his cap and gloves. Several personal items were then placed at the altar to represent his life. They included a fiddle, jerseys from his club in Balbriggan, O'Dwyer's GAA, his hurl, a chocolate bar and a family Bible that he used to read to his two children, Aoife and Erin. Addressing mourners, Fr Dan Joe O'Mahony extended his condolences to Garda Flatley's widow Una and his two daughters Erin and Aoife. 'I've seen so many in tears the last few days,' he said. 'It's something when you see a guard crying – that does something to you. 'Kevin's life – one of the most helpful gentlemen you could meet, a coach at O'Dwyer's here in Balbriggan, a family man, a great guard, and I'm saying that without condition today, who left no stone unturned in his duty of care.' Speaking generally about road safety in Ireland, the cleric urged motorists to show 'courtesy'. 'Good friends, we as human beings today are asked, each one of us are asked, to share the roads,' he said. 'I don't own the roads. You don't. We share them together. We travel together and we have to show prudence and courtesy. Courtesy pays, good friends, I think all the time. It's vitally important, courtesy.' Members of the Irish Defence Forces, the PSNI and US custom officers based in Ireland all attended the funeral. Outside the packed-to-capacity church, a large crowd of mourners watched the service on big screens in a car park. A eulogy was delivered by Rosanna Caul, who was Garda Flatley's close colleague in Blanchardstown Garda Station. Garda Caul described her friend as a great 'family man'. 'On Sunday the 11th of May 2025, the lives of Una, Erin and Aoife were changed forever. They never imagined when Kevin went to work that he would not return home,' she said. She spoke of Garda Flatley's 'infectious smile and laughter' as she outlined his career progression in An Garda Síochána. 'We always knew that Kevin wanted to be part of the Roads Policing Unit,' she said. 'He was delighted to move there in 2018. Kevin always wanted to do the motorcycle course, and he was so happy when he achieved that goal. He loved working alongside his colleagues in the Roads Policing Unit and the family know how heartbroken his colleagues are. 'From the start of his career until now, Kevin's focus was always on helping people. Kevin had unconditional, positive regard for everyone he worked with and every member of the public he encountered.' Garda Caul said her colleague had always been the 'first to put his hand up to volunteer' in his local community, as she referenced his passion for coaching at O'Dwyer's GAA club. 'Kevin's drive with O'Dwyer's was for his daughters. Kevin was never happier than when he was supporting his girls playing and enjoying the game with their friends. Kevin was never all about winning. He was about participation, teamwork and being part of the community. Kevin is safe in the knowledge that the club and the game will remain a part of his girls' lives. 'Kevin was adored by everyone in his family, and the loss they are experiencing is heartbreaking. The family are so grateful to those who came to Kevin's aid on Sunday, and to everyone who has taken care of Kevin since this time. 'The support that Kevin's family have experienced since Sunday has been phenomenal.' Garda Caul said the Flatley family would never forget the 'unwavering' care, support and help offered by the Garda since Sunday's fatal crash. 'Kevin's family and friends are truly grateful for the privilege of having shared a life with him,' she concluded. 'Kevin's memory will never be forgotten. He is forever in his children's, family's and friends' hearts, and Kevin will always be cherished by everyone who knew him.' At the close of the service, members of the Garda Ceremonial Unit removed the tricolour from the coffin, folded it and presented it, along with his gloves and cap, to the family. Fellow coaches from O'Dwyer's GAA then placed a club flag on the coffin before it was carried out of the church. After the mass, Garda Flatley was taken onward to Newcastle Cemetery in Co Dublin for burial.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Six counties have no road fatalities as traffic deaths decline by 12pc this year
The decline came despite Garda Roads Policing Unit (RPU) personnel numbers remaining at near record lows. Sixty people have died on Irish roads so far this year. That contrasts to 68 who lost their lives in traffic tragedies by the same point last year. The deaths this year have included 24 drivers, 15 pedestrians, six passengers, 10 motorcyclists, four pedal cyclists and one pillion passenger. Almost one in three deaths this year have involved motorcyclists or pedal cyclists. Road safety campaigner group Parc conducted an analysis of crashes, which revealed road deaths were spread across 20 counties – three counties more than on March 1. Six counties – Clare, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Monaghan and Wicklow – have not recorded a road death so far this year. A total of 184 people died on Irish roads in 2023, the highest death toll for over a decade. Last year, a total of 174 people died in traffic tragedies. That represented a 4pc decline. Road safety chiefs have ordered studies into the varying nature of fatal crash statistics to better understand the reasons for surges and declines in fatalities. There have also been inexplicable regional variations in fatal collisions. Ireland's most populous county, Dublin, has recorded six road deaths so far this year. However, Galway and Donegal have also both recorded six traffic fatalities each this year despite having only a fraction of Dublin's population and traffic volumes. There have been seven fatalities this year in Mayo. Parc founder Susan Gray said their study revealed that 18 of the 60 people who died on Irish roads so far this year were aged 30 years or younger. She said the cornerstone of road safety was the strict enforcement of safety regulations and proper resourcing of the gardaí. 'There is an undeniable link between Road Policing Unit numbers, enforcement of road safety regulations and the safety of our roads,' she said. She said the priority for the Government should be the provision of maximum resources for the gardaí. Ms Gray said RPUs deserved enormous credit for the work they had achieved with depleted resources. RPU personnel numbers are 40pc down on 2009 levels. 'We desperately need to get the road safety message across and ensure that road safety regulations are rigorously enforced,' she said. 'But this includes all the stakeholders from the Government to state agencies and from prioritising recruitment to the gardaí to closing loopholes in the law and devoting the resources to road safety to reduce the number of fatalities.' August was the deadliest month on Irish roads in 2023, but was one of the safest last year. Ireland had 138 road deaths in 2018 – 29pc below last year's number. Since 2018, road deaths have steadily climbed: 2019 (140), 2020 (146), 2021 (130/Covid lockdowns), 2022 (155) and 2023 (184). Almost half the road deaths over the past 18 months have involved vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, bikers and e-scooter riders. An RSA submission to the Government last year noted that, in the space of five years, deaths among young people aged between 16 and 25 almost doubled. Overall, road users aged 16 to 25 represented the largest proportions of fatalities (26pc) and serious injuries (22pc) over the past year. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) warned that frontline resources were a major issue for the force as it responded to multiple operational challenges. Gardaí insisted that 150 extra personnel would be deployed to RPU work nationwide by the end of this year. 'Gardaí do not comment on current or future deployment of resources for operational reasons,' a spokesperson said. 'An Garda Síochána (AGS) is committed to its aim to transfer 150 personnel into Roads Policing by the end of 2025. (We) commenced this allocation with the transfer of 23 garda members to RPUs during the second half of 2024. 'Competitions took place in three garda regions and panels are now in place across all four garda regions. Transfers from those panels will take place throughout 2025. Internal garda competitions are conducted by garda HR in accordance with agreements with the Garda Staff Associations,' the spokesperson added. 'Managing deployment of resources in a large national organisation such as AGS with over 560 garda stations throughout the country, and competing priorities such as roads policing, economic crime, drugs and organised crime, cyber crime and maintaining frontline policing is a complex process.' In 2014 there were 192 road deaths when there were 742 assigned RPU members. In 2017 there were 154 deaths when there were 623 assigned RPU members.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Drivers urged to be safe after 22 fatal crashes on Essex roads so far this year
ESSEX Police are urging people to stay safe on the roads after 22 fatal crashes so far in 2025 – a 'horrific' number. Officers policing the roads in Essex have had to deliver the 'worst possible news' to 22 families already this year, as 22 people have died as a result of 16 collisions. This means there have been an average of more than five deaths per month in less than four months on the roads in Essex. On Saturday, April 12, officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) who regularly patrol the county's highways were conducting speed checks on the A12. Across a 30-minute period, four vehicles were captured travelling at speeds of more than 100mph, with one vehicle clocking in at 123mph. Each offender will receive a court summons. Safe - Adam Pipe, head of the Roads Policing Unit, said he is appalled by the shocking number of deaths (Image: Essex Police) Adam Pipe, the head of roads policing in Essex Police, said: 'Officers policing our roads have had to deliver the worst possible news to 22 families already this year. 'This is a truly shocking number that I personally am appalled by. 'To then see drivers reaching speeds of more than 120mph on our roads, displaying such disregard for human life, is a slap in the face. 'We've seen a horrific number of serious collisions on our roads already this year. 'For me, one death is always one too many. 'Behind each statistic is a family, changed forever, and in some cases, this is down to the selfish actions or split-second mistakes of road users. 'This has also taken a huge toll on our officers, who are people too, and who have had to deliver some heartbreaking messages.' The RPU is taking part in Operation Limit, which sees traffic units deployed on targeted patrols in specific areas of the county. Also on Saturday, April 12, across a 10-hour period alone, this operation identified 139 offences and saw 14 arrests on the roads around the Chelmsford area, with 17 vehicles seized. Of the arrests, 11 were for drink or drug driving. One of the arrests, at Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, saw cocaine recovered from a Jaguar and a man arrested for a litany of offences. He was questioned on suspicion of drink and drug driving, driving without insurance or a full licence and possession of Class A drugs and released under investigation while inquiries continue. As part of Operation Tramline, officers use an HGV on loan from National Highways. The height of the cab allows officers to see into other lorry cabins or down into cars in a lower level to observe if drivers are on their phones. Under this operation, officers caught several drivers looking at their phones while behind the wheel on the roads of Essex. One woman did so while carrying five children in the vehicle. Ahead of the Easter weekend, Mr Pipe is urging drivers to recognise the dangers their reckless speed can pose to the public. He said: 'We're more proactive than ever in patrolling our roads and catching irresponsible drivers, but it does feel like we're fighting against the tide. 'There's only so much we can do, and we're out there policing the roads of Essex 24 hours a day. 'My personal plea is for the public, the majority of which I know are responsible drivers, to take care on our roads as you travel this Easter holiday. 'If you've had a drink, don't drive. Think before you travel, designate a driver. 'If you're late or in a rush, don't resort to speeding, it's not worth the devastating cost. 'That phone call or text message can always wait. 'Be aware of your surroundings, watch for motorcycles and cyclists, take an hour longer to plan your journey. 'These are the simple things you can do to help ensure we don't lose another life on our roads.'
