[Article] Traffic Watch scheme to go nationwide

Victor

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Traffic Watch scheme to go nationwide
From:ireland.com
Tuesday, 6th January, 2004

A pilot project encouraging motorists in the south-east to report dangerous driving is to be extended nationwide in the coming weeks.

The Traffic Watch scheme has been running in counties Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow for the two years in a bid to reduce deaths on those regions' roads.

Gardaí say the scheme - which is run through a call centre in Thomastown Garda Station - has led to an increase in the number of prosecutions for drink-driving and dangerous driving.

Over 8,000 calls have been made to the lo-call number (1890-202805) since the scheme's inception, leading to 500 motorists being cautioned or fined.

Gardaí believe the project allows members of the public to help eliminate aggressive motoring and reduce the number of road fatalities.

A Garda spokesman told ireland.com the project was already working on a nationwide basis in that motorists could ring in a report from anywhere in the State. But he said a date for the official launch was still to be decided but was likely to be in the coming weeks.

He said the expanded scheme will be run through five regional Traffic Watch centres in Birr, Mallow, Tuam, Carrick-on-Shannon and Harcourt Square in Dublin.

Victor

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Scheme to shop reckless drivers goes nationwide
From:The Irish Independent
Tuesday, 6th January, 2004

A GARDA scheme designed to encourage motorists to report dangerous drivers is to go nationwide.

Under the Traffic Watch scheme, piloted in Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford, and parts of Wicklow, motorists are asked to telephone a hotline to report reckless driving or bad behaviour on roads.

In its first two years close to 8,000 calls have been logged and more than 500 motorists were cautioned, with scores of people being prosecuted as a result of calls. One motorist was fined €150 for throwing chips from a car window.

There were also successful prosecutions for aggressive, reckless and drink-driving.

Fines have ranged from €100 to €300, and there have been bans and endorsements for drink-driving.

The majority of the cases involved drink-driving. Since the scheme was launched in the south-east two years ago, road deaths have been cut from an average of 80 to 54.

Garda Inspector Mick Millea, who has headed the scheme since its inception, said that Traffic Watch has been "hugely successful" and that gardai have been inundated with calls from motorists and the public.

"People have not been afraid to appear in court to bring about prosecutions under the scheme and so far it is working well," he added.

Motorists with a complaint call the number and then gardai intercept the vehicle or vehicles involved, they then issue a warning.

It is up to the complainant if they want to pursue the matter through the courts. In the coming months, the scheme, will have a number of regional bases up and running.

Sanctioning of the scheme is currently with Garda Commissioner Noel Treacy. Currently, calls are being received at Thomastown Garda station, Co Kilkenny. Regional centres will be based in Birr, Mallow, Tuam, Carrick-on-Shannon, Thomastown and Harcourt Square.

Traffic Watch signs have already been erected across several counties in the south-east and scores of others are to go up across the country. All the signs urge motorists to phone a low call number.

The call system will be computer-based with a link to other regional areas. Dedicated gardai will be assigned to Traffic Watch. Garda Superintendent Declan O'Brien, based in Dublin, will also be involved in the overall running of the scheme.

Sarah Murphy