New Garda road safety initiative begins

TestTransmission

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0224/breaking27.html

A Garda initiative targeting road traffic offences including drink driving, speeding, non-use of seatbelts and the use of hand-held mobile phones began in Dublin this morning.

Operation Focus, will involve a concentration of Garda resources at known high-risk crash locations and will be deployed nationally over next six months.

During the Dublin operation mandatory alcohol test checkpoints will be held at the designated locations from 4.30am to 5.30am, 6.15 am to 7am, 7pm to 8pm and 11pm to midnight.

The M50, M1 and M11 will be patrolled on a continuous basis by six Garda vehicles equipped with automated number plate recognition technology and 57 high visibility check points and 19 patrol cars.

Marked safety camera vans will be carrying out speed enforcement at known collision black spots, in addition to Garda units with speed check guns.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Mahoney said the force wanted drivers to focus on the main causes of death on the roads. “The objective is to remind people that it doesn’t pay to take chances on our roads," he said. "As a community, we all have a duty to ensure that no family should lose a loved on our roads as a result of reckless behaviour.”

So, did anyone notice any increase in Garda presence this morning?

-Corkie-

Nope allthough they said it was mostly Dublin.

shar01

Ehhh.... no.

For the last few weeks there has been a Garda standing at the top of Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire.

People are jay-walking right in front of them and I've yet to see whatever Garda is on duty do anything. So much for the "Don't be hasty, get across safely" program....

TestTransmission

TestTransmission wrote: »

Operation Focus

So, did anyone notice any increase in Garda presence this morning?

No but I don't drive a Ford.

I'll get my coat.

TestTransmission

-Corkie- wrote: »

Nope allthough they said it was mostly Dublin.

According to the RTE news, Dublin is one of the "whitespot" cities to drive in Europe.Doesn't make any sense.

-Corkie-

TestTransmission wrote: »

According to the RTE news, Dublin is one of the "whitespot" cities to drive in Europe.Doesn't make any sense.

It would be great if they could penalise the clowns that dont know how to use that M50.

shar01

shar01 wrote: »

People are jay-walking right in front of them and I've yet to see whatever Garda is on duty do anything. So much for the "Don't be hasty, get across safely" program....

Is jay-walking an offense in Ireland? Last time I checked it wasn't, although I haven't checked in a while...

dgt

Was blasting all over the city today. Noticed nothing new. Was on the M1 and up to the border, no change. N2, no changes, noticed nothing. M3 no change.

:rolleyes:

Atlantic Dawn

The M50, M1 and M11 will be patrolled on a continuous basis by six Garda vehicles equipped with automated number plate recognition technology and 57 high visibility check points and 19 patrol cars.

I would hope they would concentrate on policing those who are yet to understand the concept of the overtaking lane.

I don't understand why they don't simply place a couple of ANPR cameras on these routes and let them catch those cars with no tax or insurance, system could be setup like the toll to bill or penalty point those with no tax or insurance, could be all automated and will take the dodgy motorists off these routes.

Gran Hermano

Deleted User wrote: »

Is jay-walking an offense in Ireland? Last time I checked it wasn't, although I haven't checked in a while...

It is an offense
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/si/0182.html#zzsi182y1997a46



46. (1) A pedestrian shall exercise care and take all reasonable precautions in order to avoid causing danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians.

(2) A pedestrian facing a traffic light lamp which shows a red light shall not proceed beyond that light.

(3) A pedestrian about to cross a roadway at a place where traffic sign number RPC 003 or RPC 004 [pedestrian lights] has been provided shall do so only when a lamp of the facing pedestrian lights is lit and emits a constant green light.

(4) Subject to sub-article (5), save when crossing the roadway, a pedestrian shall use a footway if one is provided, and if one is not provided, shall keep as near as possible to the right edge of the roadway.

(5) At a road junction where traffic is controlled either by traffic lights or by a member of the Garda Síochána, a pedestrian shall cross the roadway only when traffic going in the direction in which the pedestrian intends to cross is permitted (by the lights or the member) to proceed.

(6) Within a pedestrian crossing complex [traffic sign number RPC 002] a pedestrian shall only cross the roadway at the location of traffic sign number RPC 001 [pedestrian crossing].

(7) On a roadway on which a traffic sign number RPC 001 [pedestrian crossing] has been provided, a pedestrian shall not cross the roadway within 15 metres of the crossing, except by the crossing.

(8) For the purposes of this article, each carriageway of a dual carriageway shall be deemed to be a separate roadway, and where there is a traffic refuge on a roadway the portion of the roadway on each side of the refuge shall be deemed to be a separate roadway.

shar01

Deleted User wrote: »

Is jay-walking an offense in Ireland? Last time I checked it wasn't, although I haven't checked in a while...

TBH I'm not sure if it is an offence (too much time spent watch US tv). Cheers Gran Hermano

From Garda.ie - Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Al McHugh, commented: “An Garda Síochána is appealing to pedestrians to consider their safety when alighting from buses and trams. People should make use of pedestrian crossings and wait till the “green man” is showing before crossing the road. We are pleased to work closely with Dublin Bus on this important safety initiative.

It's a pity the message hasn't gotten through to his staff...

Keith186

They'd be better off focusing on the basics for a change.

Road deaths are well down. How about targeting roundabouts and the 70% (guesstimate) of people who dont use indicators on them. That'll raise plenty of revenue.

Actively pulling over mid-lane hoggers on the M50 would also be appreciated if you're reading this Mr Garda.

If they could record these in video (even only blatant cases) and fine them without having to pull them over it'd be very efficient.

Thanks Gran Hermano. I never understand law, but I'll take your word for it.

From my reading, they all reference to a situation where there is traffic light etc. I know many long roads with no pedestrian lights, is it illegal to cross them? As long as the person takes care, it's legal??

If it's going off topic Mods, forget about it, I'll stick to using pedestrian lights.

Anan1

Keith186 wrote: »

If they could record these in video (even only blatant cases) and fine them without having to pull them over it'd be very efficient.

+1

Gran Hermano

An analysis of fatal road accidents showed that drivers in rural counties are far more likely to die in crashes.

New data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) showed that Co Roscommon is the most dangerous county in which to drive, but that Laois, Donegal, Cavan and Leitrim are also treacherous.

The safest county is Dublin, followed by Galway, Clare, Cork and Meath.

Researchers analysed crash data from every accident in 2010 that involved a fatality or a driver, passenger, pedestrian or other road user being hospitalised overnight. It benchmarked the number of accidents in each county against the population.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/accident-blackspots-counties-where-death-risk-is-highest-2973453.html

Is this a case of the Gardai shooting fish in a barrel or just acting where they have staff as opposed to where the problems are?

micawber

Deleted User wrote: »

Is jay-walking an offense in Ireland? Last time I checked it wasn't, although I haven't checked in a while...

46. (1) A pedestrian shall exercise care and take all reasonable precautions in order to avoid causing danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/si/0182.html#zzsi182y1997a46

Mycroft H

I saw a couple more then usual when cycling through phibsborough this morning. 2 unmarked cars + 2 vans and three squad cars.

micawber

micawber wrote: »

46. (1) A pedestrian shall exercise care and take all reasonable precautions in order to avoid causing danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/si/0182.html#zzsi182y1997a46

That doesn't make it illegal. As long as it is safe to cross, then cross. I understand people just walking out in front of traffic is an offense, but crossing where it is safe to cross, even in front of a checkpoint, is completely legal.

-Corkie-

micawber wrote: »

46. (1) A pedestrian shall exercise care and take all reasonable precautions in order to avoid causing danger or inconvenience to traffic and other pedestrians.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/si/0182.html#zzsi182y1997a46

I wonder would these Pedestrians walk in to a field with a bull in it???. Its the same thing really..

TestTransmission

Deleted User wrote: »

If it's going off topic Mods,

It has

TestTransmission

TestTransmission wrote: »

It has

Okey dokey, I'll shut up and move on

Rowley Birkin QC

There was a Ban Garda minding the yellow box around the Strand off License in Fairview this afternoon. She was standing around the chipper and going out talking to people that got stuck in the yellow box between light changes.

Maudi

Gran Hermano wrote: »

An analysis of fatal road accidents showed that drivers in rural counties are far more likely to die in crashes.

New data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) showed that Co Roscommon is the most dangerous county in which to drive, but that Laois, Donegal, Cavan and Leitrim are also treacherous.

The safest county is Dublin, followed by Galway, Clare, Cork and Meath.

Researchers analysed crash data from every accident in 2010 that involved a fatality or a driver, passenger, pedestrian or other road user being hospitalised overnight. It benchmarked the number of accidents in each county against the population.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/accident-blackspots-counties-where-death-risk-is-highest-2973453.html

Is this a case of the Gardai shooting fish in a barrel or just acting where they have staff as opposed to where the problems are?

god forbid they might try and put some effort itno catching burgulars instead of "harrasing"hardworking decent motorists...

privateBeavis

even the garda ombudsman are out on patrol! I thought that was more of a behind the desk type of department but seems they have they're own patrol cars! Was an estate but look like this:

RobAMerc

make no mistake Operation Focus ( on revenue generation ) is simply another form of motoring tax. Ireland has become very safe for motoring now we have mostly motorway on our main routes. Why don't they focus on the number of our young people committing suicide rather than this ?

As an earlier poster said, people jay walk with 0 consequence, I saw someone run a red right in front of a cop car recently prompting 0 response ?? but I've seen at least 2 speed traps in the last 2 weeks, €€€€€ anyone ?

If they want to make driving safer and make some cash why not introduce red light camera's ? They would make a fortune and get city traffic flowing much better as well as reduce the amount of potential lethal accidents from people running reds ( a major issue here imo ).

Bearcat

They were out in full force last night at FOXROCK church on the n11 and on the rock road. Just haven't seen them for a while around town. M50 being targeted too. I spend my days on the m50.....I don't think speeding is too much of an issue on the m50? but the biggest offenders are folk on their mobiles oblivious to their surroundings imo.

I see from the times today Dublin is being targeted by the traffic corp.

http://irishtimes.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/iphone/homepage.aspx#_article28e62f26-3d2a-46cc-9b4b-24246d3fffb7

v240gltse

I believe there was also a massive one on the road heading out of the city between Heuston train station and Kilmanhaim junction yesterday evening.

brendan

v240gltse

I believe there was also a massive one on the road heading out and into the city between Heuston train station and Kilmanhaim junction yesterday evening.

brendan

milltown

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0225/1224312374105.html

Working Times link.

Nice of them to let me know when I can drive home pi$$ed without getting caught

More revenue raising under the safety flag. By and large, the serious/fatal accidents don't happen in Dublin so concentrating resources there is a moneymaking excercise. More random checkpoints please. Cars, bikes and beat cops should be keeping an eye out for people on phones and pulling people out of traffic around town for it. Speeding is one of the less dangerous driving offences I see any time I'm on the M50 or any of the DCs around the capital. You'd be unfortunate to get snapped by a €amera van but the chances of being pulled in by an actual Garda are in the Lotto league.

Bearcat

I think the super checkpoints are a deterrent more than anything else to scare the local communities. With APNR they should have a tax fest just cruising around. The amount of folk driving around Dublin at night minus their lights on is amazing, either they are p!ssed or have no idea what's going on.

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Threads merged

redman

At east point yesterday evening usual fish n barrell stuff, this morning up and down m50 nothing unusual just one cop spotted ... A joke with all the usual middle lane hoggers and plenty blowin speed limit past 100k in fact a lot blowin past 120 oblivious to the 'threat'.......

Chris_Heilong

They where doing spot checks near the east link and there was a Guard at the roundabout at O2 around 4 yesterday.

markc1184

I was shocked to see my first checkpoint in Drogheda in a few months last night. Easily the first since about November, despite all the talk of there being increases. Usual tax/insurance and random breath checks. Good to see.

Also spotted a Garda behind a tree in a housing estate beside the checkpoint for those trying to pull the quick one!

heate

Why the hell do they focus on Dublin in thier campaigns other than to raise revenue from a higher population base.
The city it's exactly a dangerous place for driving 99.9% of incidents and deaths relate to cyclists and trucks with the odd plonked on the m50.
Anyone I know who was involved in an RTA in the greater Dublin area was either rear ended or someone pulled out on top of them without looking resulting in a minor smack with some whiplash level injury.
When was the last time you heard of 4-8 peope dying at 3am on a bendy city road?
Not wishing to offend rural dwellers bringing up the tragedies that have occurred on their roads but let's face it this is not an urban issue and most of those accidents were avoidable

Big Nasty

Big checkpoint in Donnybrook yesterday between 7 and 8pm. Stopped and bagged everyone.

johnos1984

Never spotted one squad car between Wicklow and Nenagh yesterday, N11, M50 and M7

I'm not complaining though

mb1725

Saw Traffic Corps jeep on overpass on M8 today, guard had binoculars! Must be seat belts, phone etc.

pburns

How about targetting actual, you know...crime... I guess all the traffic corp stuff is an easier number.

MugMugs

pburns wrote: »

How about targetting actual, you know...crime... I guess all the traffic corp stuff is an easier number.

God forbid Traffic Corps would Target traffic issues.

TJJP

Full list of locations not provided here:

'During the period of “Operation Focus” the following Mandatory Alcohol Test (MAT) checkpoints will be carried out' - http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=8873

(eh, not...)...