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Garda crackdown on cyclists started today

  • 17-07-2013 9:59am
    #1
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭


    Morning all

    In my haste this morning I stupidly ran a red light and was rightly stopped by a Garda. He then informed me that a new operation was starting today and all offences carried out by cyclists over the next few days will be dealt with in court.

    My fault in full today and I not looking for any sympathy here (not likely to get it either). This is a heads up to warn anyone else who might on occasion run a light jump onto a footpath or anyone of the other myriad of offences that cyclists perform on a daily basis.

    :(


«134

Comments

  • #2
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    Hang them all.


  • #3
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    Raam wrote: »
    Hang them all.

    The Gards or the cyclists?


  • #4
    Jawgap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    I reckon he was using Section B of the Ways and Means Act - there's nothing on either the Garda or the RSA website and usually they're pretty good about over hyping these things.

    Saying that - good enough for you:D

    Crucifixion's not bloody good enough for the likes of you:pac::pac::pac:


  • #5
    delthedriver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,958 ✭✭✭delthedriver


    No harm indeed. In is in the best interests of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.

    Well done An Garda Siochana:)


  • #6
    Jawgap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    hardCopy wrote: »
    The Gards or the cyclists?

    Both - let God sort them out.......


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  • #7
    Jawgap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    delthedriver wrote: »
    No harm indeed. In is in the best interests of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike.

    Well done An Garda Siochana:)

    I see the advance guard of the pitchfork wielding mob have arrived.......


  • #8
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Really?

    Because I saw a Garda cycling in a LUAS-only lane breaking a red light and swerving around pedestrians who were crossing with a green man this morning.

    I sh1t you not.

    If the Gardai don't even care themselves about these things, I'm skeptical about their willingness to bother stopping anyone else for it.


  • #9
    Raam
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,317 ✭✭✭✭Raam


    I hope they also crack down on motorists who accelerate past me to get through amber lights which I am stopping for.


  • #10
    Squidgy Black
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,721 ✭✭✭✭Squidgy Black


    I personally hope they park a car near the Donnycarney church junction of the Malahide road, we could probably set a record for the amount of cyclists summoned to court.


  • #11
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,135 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    del_boy13 wrote: »
    He then informed me that a new operation was starting today and all offences carried out by cyclists over the next few days will be dealt with in court.

    Provided that the offence is something deeply antisocial that affects millions of people, like rolling through a red light, rather than something terribly complicated and abstract like bringing down a large bank or running out of the country with tens of millions of euro of other people's money lodged in your wife's bank accounts. If it's the latter, sure, go right ahead.


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  • #12
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    The same Garda stopped a van in the bus lane 5 minutes later so its not just cyclists he was out for today.

    No defence for my own offence but it does seem crazy that the only way it can be dealt with is a summons to court. it will take 6 months before the summons arrives and the court date will be a few months after that. Not the best way of dealing with a minor traffic offense IMHO.


  • #13
    redzerredzer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 263 ✭✭redzerredzer


    seamus wrote: »
    Really?

    Because I saw a Garda cycling in a LUAS-only lane breaking a red light and swerving around pedestrians who were crossing with a green man this morning.

    I sh1t you not.

    If the Gardai don't even care themselves about these things, I'm skeptical about their willingness to bother stopping anyone else for it.

    Are you serious. Of course they will stop people as they see fit while driving/cycling any way they want.

    I have seen many Garda cars speeding and been stopped for speeding myself.
    I have seen several Garda on mobile phone while driving and been stopped for that too.
    Met a Garda from an ad on done deal last year. He parked illegally and obstructed traffic for the 5 mins we talked. I would not expect to get away with the same.


  • #14
    Jawgap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    I hope I'm right on this one, but I reckon he won't summons you he was just putting the frighteners on you - did he ask for name and address, and some form of identification?


  • #15
    DuckHook
    Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭DuckHook


    Lumen wrote: »
    Provided that the offence is something deeply antisocial that affects millions of people, like rolling through a red light, rather than something terribly complicated and abstract like bringing down a large bank or running out of the country with tens of millions of euro of other people's money lodged in your wife's bank accounts. If it's the latter, sure, go right ahead.

    Were the cyclists nama?

    in fairness if you break the law so blatantly as to go through a red light you deserve to get pulled up in front of a judge, im sure he will be sympathetic to your plight if you launch into a Joe higgins-esque rant about the banks.


  • #16
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    It was full name address and identification. I also got his name and badge number for my own records.

    I have dealt with the Gardai in the past and it didn't come across as a warning or we will scare this fella. I wasn't arguing with him about the offence or trying to deny it. It was a very clear and fact based conversation.

    If it was just a ticking off I would be surprised he didn't just threaten me with summons. It was very clear I will be sent a summons and it was not just a ticking off.


  • #17
    De Bhál
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,937 ✭✭✭De Bhál


    del_boy13 wrote: »
    Morning all

    In my haste this morning I stupidly ran a red light and was rightly stopped by a Garda. He then informed me that a new operation was starting today and all offences carried out by cyclists over the next few days will be dealt with in court.

    My fault in full today and I not looking for any sympathy here (not likely to get it either). This is a heads up to warn anyone else who might on occasion run a light jump onto a footpath or anyone of the other myriad of offences that cyclists perform on a daily basis.

    :(

    Where was this red light you cycled through?


  • #18
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    seamus wrote: »

    If the Gardai don't even care themselves about these things, I'm skeptical about their willingness to bother stopping anyone else for it.

    They dont stop motorists so why stop bikers?

    I was out this morning and saw no fewer than 15 cars braking lights and its like that every morning. As I was out so early I was lucky to see another cyclists (except the same gobsh1t that cycles the wrong way a cycle lane).


  • #19
    Uriel.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    Lumen wrote: »
    Provided that the offence is something deeply antisocial that affects millions of people, like rolling through a red light, rather than something terribly complicated and abstract like bringing down a large bank or running out of the country with tens of millions of euro of other people's money lodged in your wife's bank accounts. If it's the latter, sure, go right ahead.

    rabble rabble, yeah sure all laws of the state become obsolete because the suits haven't been prosecuted yet... :rolleyes:


  • #20
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    Santry at the flyover.


  • #21
    godtabh
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 23,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭godtabh


    del_boy13 wrote: »
    Santry at the flyover.

    What time?


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  • #22
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,135 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    Uriel. wrote: »
    rabble rabble, yeah sure all laws of the state become obsolete because the suits haven't been prosecuted yet... :rolleyes:

    Eventually, yes. Where does the authority of the State come from?

    I noticed driving standards dropped significantly around about 2010 when there was nothing but grim news. It was like people just didn't a crap.


  • #23
    ThisRegard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,833 ✭✭✭✭ThisRegard


    Lumen wrote: »
    Provided that the offence is something deeply antisocial that affects millions of people, like rolling through a red light, rather than something terribly complicated and abstract like bringing down a large bank or running out of the country with tens of millions of euro of other people's money lodged in your wife's bank accounts. If it's the latter, sure, go right ahead.

    Can you imagine what would happen if they caught a banker on a bike breaking a red light.


  • #24
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    Just after 8.30 I was so busy looking at the traffic ahead and trying to judge if it was safe to keep going I never checked the line of cars for Garda.


  • #25
    Uriel.
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,061 ✭✭✭Uriel.


    Lumen wrote: »
    Eventually, yes. Where does the authority of the State come from?

    I noticed driving standards dropped significantly around about 2010 when there was nothing but grim news. It was like people just didn't a crap.

    maybe it's enforcement that has dropped, due to lack of resources for AGS.

    Either way, I hope and expect that the laws of the land are implemented correctly and don't believe that because one person has (so far) gotten away with something that all other laws should be disregarded.


  • #26
    Zapho
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,268 ✭✭✭Zapho


    ThisRegard wrote: »
    Can you imagine what would happen if they caught a banker on a bike breaking a red light.

    Probably something like "ooooh excuse me sir - let me move all these pesky pedestrains and vechicals out of your way so that you can continue ruining our country without obstacles"


  • #27
    Jawgap
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,297 ✭✭✭✭Jawgap


    del_boy13 wrote: »
    It was full name address and identification. I also got his name and badge number for my own records.

    I have dealt with the Gardai in the past and it didn't come across as a warning or we will scare this fella. I wasn't arguing with him about the offence or trying to deny it. It was a very clear and fact based conversation.

    If it was just a ticking off I would be surprised he didn't just threaten me with summons. It was very clear I will be sent a summons and it was not just a ticking off.

    Doesn't sound great - good luck with it.
    del_boy13 wrote: »
    Santry at the flyover.

    I was stopped by Santry Garda last week - for not using the cycle 'lane' (the bit of the pavement defined by the faint white line) at Northwood.

    Santry Guards must have feck all else to be doing.


  • #28
    HivemindXX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,208 ✭✭✭HivemindXX


    del_boy13 wrote: »
    This is a heads up to warn anyone else who might on occasion run a light jump onto a footpath or anyone of the other myriad of offences that cyclists perform on a daily basis.

    I think you mean that some cyclists perform on a daily basis.

    As far as getting a summons being an over reaction this strikes me as similar to the clamping issue. Before clamping people largely didn't care about the tickets they either didn't pay them or considered them part of the cost of driving and just parked wherever they want. Add a decent amount of inconvenience to the offender and suddenly things change.

    On the subject of warnings a few months ago I saw a cyclist get flagged down by a motorcycle guard for going through a red light and presumably given a warning. When I was stopped at another red further down the road the same guy blew past me through the red light then mounted the foot path and cycled off. I'm not sure how effective warnings are.


  • #29
    paddydriver
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,085 ✭✭✭paddydriver


    del_boy13 wrote: »
    It was full name address and identification. I also got his name and badge number for my own records.

    So now we got to take our passport of driving license when we are out for a cycle:eek:

    "Just wait one sec guard.. I think it's in here; don't mind that pube it won't harm you.. and that dampness; well that's OK too"


  • #30
    porsche959
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,499 ✭✭✭porsche959


    Lumen wrote: »
    Provided that the offence is something deeply antisocial that affects millions of people, like rolling through a red light, rather than something terribly complicated and abstract like bringing down a large bank or running out of the country with tens of millions of euro of other people's money lodged in your wife's bank accounts. If it's the latter, sure, go right ahead.


    Grow up.


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  • #31
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    HivemindXX wrote: »
    I think you mean that some cyclists perform on a daily basis.

    I already said that it was on occasion that cyclists break the rules of the road. Some cyclists never break the rules and fair play to them but I do think that almost everyone at some point will do something that could be seen as being a breach of the rule.


  • #32
    petethedrummer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    This should bring down the enormous number of cyclist deaths and deaths caused by cyclists. Glad to see the Gardai applying their efforts where it is needed most.


  • #33
    ThisRegard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 27,833 ✭✭✭✭ThisRegard


    petethedrummer wrote: »
    This should bring down the enormous number of cyclist deaths and deaths caused by cyclists. Glad to see the Gardai applying their efforts where it is needed most.

    Nope, it will be negated by all the killer high vis vests in circulation.


  • #34
    Lumen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 31,135 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    porsche959 wrote: »
    Grow up.

    I have to admit, I've always found you incredibly desirable. I think it's your active differential that really does it for me.


  • #35
    hardCopy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    petethedrummer wrote: »
    This should bring down the enormous number of cyclist deaths and deaths caused by cyclists. Glad to see the Gardai applying their efforts where it is needed most.

    In years to come we may debate whether the inevitable drop in deaths is due to this Garda crackdown or the RSA's ongoing recall of not-sufficiently-hi-viz-hi-viz-vests.


    EDIT: Beaten to the punch


  • #36
    laraghrider
    Closed Accounts Posts: 663 ✭✭✭laraghrider


    With a bit of luck they'll sit someone in harrolds x to catch all the riders swanning through the red light on the left side of the park heading towards the canal.


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  • #37
    oflahero
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 765 ✭✭✭oflahero


    laraghrider wrote: »
    With a bit of luck they'll sit someone in harrolds x to catch all the riders swanning through the red light on the left side of the park heading towards the canal.

    That's a regular stop for enforcement, now that you mention it. People have come on here before moaning about being nobbled there.

    Had to laugh this morning at a red light waiting to turn right, as the car beside me decided he didn't want to wait longer than five seconds, and pulled out and away around through the red like a boss. Everyone watching from the other three sides and all. Seeing this a lot lately. The only conclusion I can draw is that all cars break red lights all the time and I will repeat this as often as I can.


  • #38
    Hmmzis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭Hmmzis


    laraghrider wrote: »
    With a bit of luck they'll sit someone in harrolds x to catch all the riders swanning through the red light on the left side of the park heading towards the canal.

    That spot is just crazy, there are muppets breaking the lights there even with a bus thundering down on them. Makes my jaw drop every time I see that, some people are just ripe for the Darwin awards.


  • #39
    petethedrummer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    "The 162 who died consisted of 29 pedestrians, 8 cyclists, 95 car occupants, 7 goods-van, 2 goods-HGV, 1 minibus, 19 bikers and 1 other."

    http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Road-Safety/Our-Research/Deaths-injuries-on-Irish-roads/

    8 cycling deaths and all the other deaths probably caused by cyclists. I can think of no better deployment of resources.


  • #40
    petethedrummer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    petethedrummer wrote: »
    "1 other."
    very curious as to what this guy was doing..... swimming?


  • #41
    DuckHook
    Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭DuckHook


    petethedrummer wrote: »
    "The 162 who died consisted of 29 pedestrians, 8 cyclists, 95 car occupants, 7 goods-van, 2 goods-HGV, 1 minibus, 19 bikers and 1 other."

    http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Road-Safety/Our-Research/Deaths-injuries-on-Irish-roads/

    8 cycling deaths and all the other deaths probably caused by cyclists. I can think of no better deployment of resources.

    This is a typical misuse of statistics to attempt to prove a point, how many cyclists are there on the road compared to people driving cars? There are many many more cars on the road compared to cyclists therefore the numbers of deaths are much higher.

    Cyclists are not exempt from the laws and the guards get criticism no matter what they do, in this case they are to be commended as there is a very real issue with some cyclists behaving dangerously.


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  • #42
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,153 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    DuckHook wrote: »
    Cyclists are not exempt from the laws and the guards get criticism no matter what they do, in this case they are to be commended as there is a very real issue with some cyclists behaving dangerously.

    I think the very fair point they were trying to make is that, why target cyclists. Why not blanket target all road users. The number of laws being broken on my daily commute would pay my months wages.

    The only thing that really needs changing is the court summons to a fixed penalty notice/on the spot fine, I can see this putting off Gardai reprimanding cyclists as a day in court for this is a huge waste of resources.


  • #43
    quozl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,308 ✭✭✭quozl


    CramCycle wrote: »
    I think the very fair point they were trying to make is that, why target cyclists. Why not blanket target all road users.

    because they're targeting cyclists today, and have targeted other road-users at other times?

    I've seen garda events targeting speeding, targetting drink driving, targetting HGV vehicles breaking the exclusion zones, and I'm sure lots of other things.

    Maybe the guards are all like me and struggle to focus on more than 1 thing at a time? ;)


  • #44
    DuckHook
    Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭DuckHook


    CramCycle wrote: »
    I think the very fair point they were trying to make is that, why target cyclists. Why not blanket target all road users. The number of laws being broken on my daily commute would pay my months wages.

    The only thing that really needs changing is the court summons to a fixed penalty notice/on the spot fine, I can see this putting off Gardai reprimanding cyclists as a day in court for this is a huge waste of resources.


    As there is a major issue with how some cyclists behave which cant be denied be it running red lights or cycling on footpaths etc, cyclists should not be allowed to do what they like and ignore the law. These are the people you should be asking about why all cyclists are being cracked down on.

    As for the summons being a waste of resources or not this is down to the gardai and they obviously feel a trip to court is a more effective way to change behaviours than a fine. Maybe cyclists involved should think of the resources they are potentially wasting when they break the law.

    Drivers are targeted regularly with checkpoints and initiatives during the year so its not as if the guards are ignoring other road users and their behaviour.


  • #45
    mitosis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,000 ✭✭✭mitosis


    CramCycle wrote: »
    I think the very fair point they were trying to make is that, why target cyclists. Why not blanket target all road users. The number of laws being broken on my daily commute would pay my months wages.

    The only thing that really needs changing is the court summons to a fixed penalty notice/on the spot fine, I can see this putting off Gardai reprimanding cyclists as a day in court for this is a huge waste of resources.

    They have always targeted all other road users than cyclists. Now by including cyclists you are getting more of a blanket treatment. The Gardai cannot catch all the law breakers logistically given that nationally there is about 1 Garda on duty at any time per 2000 citizens


  • #46
    petethedrummer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    DuckHook wrote: »
    This is a typical misuse of statistics to attempt to prove a point, how many cyclists are there on the road compared to people driving cars? There are many many more cars on the road compared to cyclists therefore the numbers of deaths are much higher.

    Cyclists are not exempt from the laws and the guards get criticism no matter what they do, in this case they are to be commended as there is a very real issue with some cyclists behaving dangerously.

    If the point of this garda excercise is to curb illegal behaviour by cyclists then it's a good initiative.

    If the point is to lower deaths and make the roads safer then they are barking up the wrong tree.

    Illegal behaviour and unsafe behaviour should not be conflated.


  • #47
    CramCycle
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,153 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    As for the summons being a waste of resources or not this is down to the gardai and they obviously feel a trip to court is a more effective way to change behaviours than a fine. Maybe cyclists involved should think of the resources they are potentially wasting when they break the law.
    The reason they don't do it AFAIK is that there is no provision for FPNs for cyclists so they have to give a summons. My point was that surely the law should be changed to give FPNs, which are quicker, waste no resources for the Gardai and get the point across quickly and firmly. This removes the issue of the Garda being concerned that issuing a summons for the offence would be a waste of his time or so that his super doesn't chew him out of it for having to be in court all the time.


  • #48
    DuckHook
    Registered Users Posts: 514 ✭✭✭DuckHook


    petethedrummer wrote: »
    If the point of this garda excercise is to curb illegal behaviour by cyclists then it's a good initiative.

    If the point is to lower deaths and make the roads safer then they are barking up the wrong tree.

    Illegal behaviour and unsafe behaviour should not be conflated.

    Are you saying that a cyclist running a red light is illegal but not unsafe?


  • #49
    ArseBurger
    Registered Users Posts: 647 ✭✭✭ArseBurger


    paddydriver wrote: »
    So now we got to take our passport of driving license when we are out for a cycle:eek:

    Proper order. That way you can have the appropriate points applied to your license.


  • #50
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    DuckHook wrote: »
    This is a typical misuse of statistics to attempt to prove a point, how many cyclists are there on the road compared to people driving cars? There are many many more cars on the road compared to cyclists therefore the numbers of deaths are much higher.

    Cyclists are not exempt from the laws and the guards get criticism no matter what they do, in this case they are to be commended as there is a very real issue with some cyclists behaving dangerously.

    Your argument is pretty poor when you consider that the highest proportion of deaths to other road users would be bikers.

    Was there any mention in the statistics of the causes of the deaths?


  • #51
    del_boy13
    Registered Users Posts: 154 ✭✭del_boy13


    ArseBurger wrote: »
    Proper order. That way you can have the appropriate points applied to your license.

    Pretty sure as I wasn't in control of a motorised vehicle at the time of breaking the lights I cannot have Penalty Points added to my license.

    If you take this to the full maybe all members of the public should be forced to carry ID and not doing so can become an offence. That would sort out cyclists.
    :rolleyes:


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