Should traffic wardens be given more power?

freshpopcorn · 20-06-2026 03:58PM #1

At the moment traffic wardens can give fines for bad parking, out of date tax and often can litter wardens also.

Would it be a good idea to supply them with body cams and allow them to give summons to people who are on their phones/non seat belt use/etc

Traffic warden are often on our street and everytime the traffic stops in my experience people are on their phone.

I sort of think it's a good idea. I do understand they'd be legalities with it.

What do you think?

User1998 · 20-06-2026 05:09PM

Considering there are no deaths or serious injuries caused by drivers using their phones in stationary traffic it sounds like a pure cash grab with no real benefit to society.

Dublin Calling · 20-06-2026 05:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058439910/should-traffic-wardens-be-given-more-power

Yes. I am not sure if they can also fine for no NCT and Insurance, but they should be able to. In addition obvious none compliment modifications, such as illegal number plates should be added. They should also record foreign registered cars, to build up a database of people who take the mick with Nordi registrations, but obviously live in the South etc.

mfceiling · 20-06-2026 05:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566218#Comment_124566218

To be fair, the idiots that use their phone in stationary traffic most likely use or when they are moving.

Phone use is an epidemic. I counted 6 out of 9 cars at lights yesterday on their phones.

freshpopcorn · 20-06-2026 05:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566218#Comment_124566218

I could be wrong but some would say a lot of rear end collisions at traffic lights/junctions can often be caused by looking their phones for a few seconds.

elperello · 20-06-2026 09:44PM

I'd be inclined to leave the straightforward easily proven with a photograph jobs to the traffic wardens.

AGS for the more legally complicated cases which may end up in court.

blackbox · 20-06-2026 09:46PM

They should be able to give fines to people who don't clean up after their dogs.

chickenlicken2 · 20-06-2026 10:03PM

I happened to be cleaning the upstairs window one day, and saw a lady walking her dog and pulling it after it shat on my drive.

I literally hung out the window shouting at her to get back and pick it up. Disgusting woman. I don't let my dog sh1t in driveways and I damn well pick up after him.

She now walks a different route to avoid my house

_Kaiser_ · 21-06-2026 01:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124566276#Comment_124566276

But that's people who are still driving not paying attention, not those already stopped.

I would also increasingly question the legitimacy of the whole area of prosecuting people for phone use in cars when most new cars contain giant ipads and touch screen controls that can't be avoided for key functions.

Why is tapping on a phone that much worse than a touchscreen on the dashboard?

elperello · 21-06-2026 09:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124568167#Comment_124568167

It's clear that a distracted driver is not a safe driver.

Therefore someone using a phone is not a safe driver and it's probably better to prosecute them to discourage their behaviour.

I agree about the touch screen controls.

Should traffic wardens be given more power?

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