Taxi drove through red light today - Renmore

21-08-2019 12:35pm #1

What's with people driving through red lights in the city. I've seen so much of it over the past few weeks.
Should we have cameras on every light in the city? Would it work?
Reason for this post. My son just came home from his first day in school. Aged 15.
Just told me he almost got hit by a car at the duggans spar junction. His light was green to walk and a taxi driver came through his green light from spar. Parked in the yellow box for a sec and bombed through when he seen no one walking. But my son was there checking to see if it was clear even though he was green to walk, I always tell them check and check again because there's so many careless drivers.
So he didn't get a number plate.
Who can i contact about this.
Gaurds? Coco?
This junction is so dangerous.

beardybrewer · 21-08-2019 12:48pm

I lived in San Francisco during a time when cameras were added to a lot of intersections. If you ask me it is addressing a symptom rather than the cause. Not that it's ever an excuse, but Galway's traffic grind leads to bad behaviour as frustration grows. The cameras or more policing will work for that specific intersection but as people are increasingly late, fatigued, and angry about traffic they will act out in other ways.

FWIW I also witnessed a guy blatantly run a red yesterday. Can't say I've seen that often, but it no surprise we were stuck in traffic and soon after the driver felt entitled or owed something. I was thinking of /r/justiceporn and hoping a Guard would have been right there to nail him.

Red_Wake · 21-08-2019 1:35pm

Dangerously common, I'm surprised there aren't more accidents tbh.

Bredabe · 21-08-2019 1:44pm

As someone with no grasp of visual distance, this is really really scary. I depend on lights to get me across junctions especially.
I always feel like Im taking my life in my hands crossing any road, but this adds a layer of worry no one needs.

zell12 · 21-08-2019 1:46pm

Yeah, it is normal.
Contact your local Councillors about pedestrian safety issue.
Garda will do nothing unless they see it

21-08-2019 1:51pm

Red_Wake wrote: »

Dangerously common, I'm surprised there aren't more accidents tbh.

Same it's awful bad around the city. Between red light runners and people on the phones. Someone will be seriously hurt soon

ronnie3585 · 21-08-2019 1:51pm

I walk to work (3.5k each way) every day and cross a lot of roads in the process. The amount of drivers that break red lights is insane. The lights at the entrance to UHG and those at the Newcastle end of the Q bridge are particularly bad. There are at least two or three cars jumping the red light each cycle.

Cameras to catch people breaking red lights are in use in a few spots in Dublin. It's a no-brainer to roll them out across the country. They would actually make the roads safer and the exchequer would make a fortune in the fines that would be generated.

Dr Turk Turkelton · 21-08-2019 1:52pm

The thing that shocks me most about this post is that schools are back already?

21-08-2019 1:54pm

FWIW I also witnessed a guy blatantly run a red yesterday. Can't say I've seen that often, but it no surprise we were stuck in traffic and soon after the driver felt entitled or owed something. I was thinking of /r/justiceporn and hoping a Guard would have been right there to nail him.[/quote]

I seen a lady going through a red light when a family were half way to crossing on merchants road. It was busy. She then proceeded to reverse back on the poor family trying to let a car out of a car park..this was last week
Beggars belief

gordongekko · 21-08-2019 1:56pm

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

The thing that shocks me most about this post is that schools are back already?

First years in secondary are back today. Primary towards the end of next week

21-08-2019 1:57pm

[/quote] cameras to catch people breaking red lights are in use in a few spots in Dublin. It's a no-brainer to roll them out across the country. They would actually make the roads safer and the exchequer would make a fortune in the fines that would be generated.[/quote]

I always wondered why it hasn't been rolled out!
It would make the roads a lot safer for us but more importantly (!)it could bring in a lot of €€€€€ for them!

CrankyHaus · 21-08-2019 2:04pm

Sure it's completely unenforced at the moment, so people will do it with impunity. Had a driver do it behind me on Sunday with two Gardai standing by the junction who couldn't have cared less. Saw a van do exactly the same thing in Tallaght last month right in front a Garda car who similarly ignored it.

Even when these people kill someone through their deliberate dangerous driving the sentence is minimal.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/driver-who-killed-child-6-after-breaking-red-light-jailed-for-four-years-1.3735530?mode=amp

21-08-2019 2:09pm

CrankyHaus wrote: »

Sure it's completely unenforced at the moment, so people will do it with impunity. Had a driver do it behind me on Sunday with two Gardai standing by the junction who couldn't have cared less. Saw a van do exactly the same thing in Tallaght last month right in front a Garda car who similarly ignored it.

Even when these people kill someone through their deliberate dangerous driving the sentence is minimal.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/driver-who-killed-child-6-after-breaking-red-light-jailed-for-four-years-1.3735530?mode=amp

That's some very sad reading there.
Every parents worse nightmare.
Part of the reason why I don't let my younger sons walk the 5 min walk from the school to home. The full duck junction in renmore is an accident waiting to happen.

"She said O’Brien has had problems with alcohol and that his father was also a heavy drinker. She told the court that his wider family was devastated about what happened"

I hate these excuses. Driving through that red light has nothing got to do with his upbringing or alcohol problems. Its choice and entitlement. Sure if we all acted out on our upbringing who would pay the taxes!!!

xckjoo · 21-08-2019 3:14pm

It's chronic. More surprising to see a car stop on amber than to see 2 or 3 run the read these days. Unfortunately the power that be don't seem to have any interest in addressing this. Even when people are hit and seriously injured or killed, the driver is let off with a slap on the wrist.

Portsalon · 21-08-2019 3:17pm

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

The thing that shocks me most about this post is that schools are back already?

I was equally surprised to learn that it was a 15 year old child's first day at school!

21-08-2019 3:57pm

Portsalon wrote: »

I was equally surprised to learn that it was a 15 year old child's first day at school!

First day back yes!
Transition year

ben.schlomo · 21-08-2019 5:27pm

The junction at Moneen and the one at Thermo are two of the worst. People constantly break reds coming from College Rd in the Dublin Rd direction. Likewise there are reds being broken from all sides of the junction at Thermo. Lethal for all other road users.

yaledo · 21-08-2019 5:32pm

That was at the junction of Renmore Rd. & Dublin Rd., right? (@ Duggan's Spar & Bon Secours hospital)

I had a really weird one there this morning.

Have they just reconfigured the traffic light sequence or something?

This morning at 07:55, I was heading outbound. Traffic stopped in both lanes, because of 2 red lights (one for turning right on to renmore road, one for going straight on). Taxi 2nd in queue to turn right beeped. Duly prompted, the car 1st in queue proceeded to turn right, going right through the red light as if this was normal, and the taxi follows it. I thought maybe I was having a stroke or something. Gas!

21-08-2019 6:39pm

yaledo wrote: »

That was at the junction of Renmore Rd. & Dublin Rd., right? (@ Duggan's Spar & Bon Secours hospital)

I had a really weird one there this morning.

Have they just reconfigured the traffic light sequence or something?

This morning at 07:55, I was heading outbound. Traffic stopped in both lanes, because of 2 red lights (one for turning right on to renmore road, one for going straight on). Taxi 2nd in queue to turn right beeped. Duly prompted, the car 1st in queue proceeded to turn right, going right through the red light as if this was normal, and the taxi follows it. I thought maybe I was having a stroke or something. Gas!

Gas carry on alright I'll never understand how lax people are on the roads..
We're talking about people's lives and potentially fatal injuries!
So many people texting too. It'll never stop until they kill someone

Mrs OBumble · 21-08-2019 8:35pm

beardybrewer wrote: »

I lived in San Francisco during a time when cameras were added to a lot of intersections. If you ask me it is addressing a symptom rather than the cause.

A symptom of what though?

Realistically, bad traffic and/or lack of parking is the best driver of behaviour change for people who could catch the bus/train but don't.

Yesterday was our annual "traffic is cat 'cos they're all buying schoolbooks" day. Today, things were a lot calmer - because people were prompted to make better transport decisions.

BeardySi · 23-08-2019 1:28pm

zell12 wrote: »

Yeah, it is normal.
Contact your local Councillors about pedestrian safety issue.
Garda will do nothing unless they see it

Garda will do nothing even if they see it....

Notch000 · 23-08-2019 2:39pm

been commuting across town for last few years its getting worse all the time and into chronic levels lately, I have seen guard pull a few cars for it and a friend of mine in the know has processed many fine but its a really bad situation and getting worse fast, there are also a total disregard for yellow boxes or white lines, taxis as well are guilty of doing what ever the F they like around the city in cutting in out and pulling u turn across solid lines, I see it all daily, the pedestrian crossing around eyre squar eare death traps too, they junction at garveeys I see pedesterians (inc tourists) getting close calls every evening by cars running the lights.

The amount of phone usage by drivers is an absolute shams too,

Thee is no absolutely no enforcement of traffic issues like these

ben.schlomo · 23-08-2019 3:28pm

Notch000 wrote: »

been commuting across town for last few years its getting worse all the time and into chronic levels lately, I have seen guard pull a few cars for it and a friend of mine in the know has processed many fine but its a really bad situation and getting worse fast, there are also a total disregard for yellow boxes or white lines, taxis as well are guilty of doing what ever the F they like around the city in cutting in out and pulling u turn across solid lines, I see it all daily, the pedestrian crossing around eyre squar eare death traps too, they junction at garveeys I see pedesterians (inc tourists) getting close calls every evening by cars running the lights.

The amount of phone usage by drivers is an absolute shams too,

Thee is no absolutely no enforcement of traffic issues like these

Agree on all the above. Taxis are lethal, was forced off my bike by one on the Dublin Rd couple of months back, lucky I wasn't going too fast or I wouldn't be typing this now. Another lad went straight through a red yesterday evening on my way home at Thermo, a good three seconds after the light went.

biko · 23-08-2019 3:30pm

Red light cameras are a must, I see people driving straight through red lights all the time.

Ashleigh1986 · 23-08-2019 7:14pm

Let's not forget the pedestrians who walk out in front of cars at lights when it's clearly showing a red symbol for them to STOP !!

Whereisgalway · 23-08-2019 7:59pm

Lets not mention the cyclists

biko · 23-08-2019 11:03pm

This thread is only about cars and red lights

23-08-2019 11:07pm

fritzelly · 23-08-2019 11:25pm

Taxis running red lights is old news, as is lots of cars running red lights.
On my way to work each morning I regularly see buses, trucks and all sundry running red lights and its always the same junctions
There is an innate mindset in far too many drivers thats shure what harm, no one crossing
Unfortunately Ireland is way behind most other countries for road safety
The only places they have bothered installing auto fine camera systems is at Luas blackspots - they should be introducing it all major junctions. Believe in the Netherlands anyone stopping over the white line at a red light gets a fine.
Whilst there may be red light breakers in other countries it is definitely rife in Ireland

23-08-2019 11:40pm

it’s an absolute pain in the hole driving in places that are monitoring your every move, so much more relaxed driving here so I would in no way be calling for all these cameras.

fritzelly · 23-08-2019 11:45pm

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

it’s an absolute pain in the hole driving in places that are monitoring your every move, so much more relaxed driving here so I would in no way be calling for all these cameras.

Why would it bother you if there are camera's catching red light breakers?
Might be less likely to see these types of stories
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/driver-who-killed-child-6-after-breaking-red-light-jailed-for-four-years-1.3735530?mode=amp

It's not the odd car, it's thousands and thousands breaking red lights consistently in Dublin alone

Go on about your merry business - won't make any difference to you

23-08-2019 11:58pm

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

it’s an absolute pain in the hole driving in places that are monitoring your every move, so much more relaxed driving here so I would in no way be calling for all these cameras.

Pain in the hole that people are so stupid that they run red lights and need to be monitored at their ripe old ages.
This post is about a 15 year old boy who is smart enough to use the lights as intended and was nearly knocked over by an idiot taxi driver who ran a red light.

24-08-2019 12:03am

I’d prefer a bit of leeway at the lights than fining all round you to be honest.

I’m strongly against any of this camera nonsense incl “go safe” money grabbing.

fritzelly · 24-08-2019 12:04am

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

I’d prefer a bit of leeway at the lights than fining all round you to be honest.

I’m strongly against any of this camera nonsense incl “go safe” money grabbing.

You have leeway - it's called an amber light that means prepare to stop not accelerate. No excuse at all for breaking red lights
In fact that mentality says it all, ahhh shure its only a red light

24-08-2019 12:05am

fritzelly wrote: »

You have leeway - it's called an amber light that means prepare to stop not accelerate

Amber is boot to the floor for me I’m afraid.

24-08-2019 12:07am

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

I’d prefer a bit of leeway at the lights than fining all round you to be honest.

I’m strongly against any of this camera nonsense incl “go safe” money grabbing.

Go on your merry way is right and the only advise you could be given.
Let's see if you have the same attitude after you hit someone or one of yours is hit by someone with the same attitude as yourself

24-08-2019 1:10pm

They have that junction dug up this weekend, looks like traffic islands going in on the approaches. Don’t know what difference that’ll make, but here’s hoping...

zell12 · 24-08-2019 1:11pm

Deleted User wrote: »

They have that junction dug up this weekend, looks like traffic islands going in on the approaches. Don’t know what difference that’ll make, but here’s hoping...

Are you sure it's not just resurfacing like the stretch nearer Moneenageisha?

ballinadog · 24-08-2019 1:15pm

Aye it’s just been resurfaced only, it’s finished now bar a few cones left out to define the lanes until it’s line marked

24-08-2019 1:18pm

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

Amber is boot to the floor for me I’m afraid.

You’re the one whose driving needs to get very, very, *very*, expensive so. Pints & foreign holidays are for people who give way, not those who take it.

But I’m not one to talk, I’ve done it myself. It’s a judgement call between stopping safely and clearing the junction, with an unconscious bias towards clearing the junction due to the benefit of missing a junction cycle. Eyes on a swivel, know what’s going on all around. If there’s an area you don’t know, slow it down & find out with a glance.

zell12 · 24-08-2019 1:22pm

ballinadog wrote: »

Aye it’s just been resurfaced only, it’s finished now bar a few cones left out to define the lanes until it’s line marked

It's most smooth, very suitable for rollerblading.

BeardySi · 24-08-2019 10:43pm

fritzelly wrote: »

You have leeway - it's called an amber light that means prepare to stop not accelerate. No excuse at all for breaking red lights
In fact that mentality says it all, ahhh shure its only a red light

Amber means stop unless it's unsafe to do so.

grbear · 25-08-2019 11:34am

Like others have said it all comes down to lack of enforcement.

There have to be cameras out there capable of telling when people run red lights, and especially able to detect when someone accelerates hard when a green light turns amber.

25-08-2019 12:01pm

grbear wrote: »

Like others have said it all comes down to lack of enforcement.

There have to be cameras out there capable of telling when people run red lights, and especially able to detect when someone accelerates hard when a green light turns amber.

Why? If you make it through on amber you have broken no rule.

It’s drives me insane when someone slows down in front of me for Amber when they and me could both get through. Just causes more traffic build up and slows down journeys. I’ve often switched lane to get around someone slowing for amber.

There is a 3 second delay between red and green anyway so I don’t see the issue in a car squeezing through as the lights change. Different story people going through when it is 100% red.

grbear · 25-08-2019 12:13pm

"An amber light means that you must not go beyond the stop line or, if there
is no stop line, you must not go beyond the light. However, you may go on if
you are so close to the line or the light when the amber light first appears that
stopping would be dangerous."

That's a direct quote from the Rules of the Road.

Jolt2007 · 25-08-2019 4:43pm

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

There is a 3 second delay between red and green anyway so I don’t see the issue in a car squeezing through as the lights change. Different story people going through when it is 100% red.

Because often around the corner from that light that's turning red is a pedestrian crossing that could be green by the time you reach it. There's many junctions around the city that are linked like this and honestly I'm surprised more accidents don't happen because of it.

xckjoo · 25-08-2019 5:43pm

Jolt2007 wrote: »

Because often around the corner from that light that's turning red is a pedestrian crossing that could be green by the time you reach it. There's many junctions around the city that are linked like this and honestly I'm surprised more accidents don't happen because of it.

Ya the junctions are timed more than people realise and all this red light jumping (including the people that speed up for ambers) is increasing congestion as it messes up the flow.

Kingp35 · 26-08-2019 9:03am

Kolton Shaggy Post wrote: »

Why? If you make it through on amber you have broken no rule.

It’s drives me insane when someone slows down in front of me for Amber when they and me could both get through. Just causes more traffic build up and slows down journeys. I’ve often switched lane to get around someone slowing for amber.

There is a 3 second delay between red and green anyway so I don’t see the issue in a car squeezing through as the lights change. Different story people going through when it is 100% red.

You are the very definition of why cameras are needed.

31-08-2019 10:24pm

BeardySi wrote: »

Garda will do nothing even if they see it....

Absolutely. Seen it with my own eyes today. Crossing at the lights after londis. Red light. Car goes through after been stopped in traffic. Gaurd behind him. Pretending he didn't see. I was shocked. I suppose it's a case of avoiding work.
Galway needs cameras on lights.

02-09-2019 12:31pm

https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/traffic-cameras-pedestrian-safety-galway?source=facebook-share-button&time=1567423670&utm_source=facebook&share=222068f2-8f60-416c-8413-6b0bbb4a92b2&fbclid=IwAR2oMCgB4dajhTb2hvl1wFgLJVyTyPtyvzAghzDOrCFuSfQm8uF1ORNqlbg

For anyone interested in signing this petition and sharing. Appreciated

Taxi drove through red light today - Renmore

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