Roadside cameras to detect dangerous and distracted driving to be rolled out
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New roadside cameras which will detect dangerous and distracted driving are to be rolled out in a major safety initiative by the Government.
The road safety cameras are part of a suite of measures designed to catch drivers who are using their phones or driving without a seatbelt.
Minister of State with responsibility James Lawless has lashed out at motorists using their mobile phones while driving, labelling them as a “scourge”.
Speaking to the , Mr Lawless said that at present it is difficult to catch motorists who use their phones while driving.
Currently, it is only possible to penalise a driver for distracted driving if they are caught in the act by gardaí.
However, the latest proposal will see new road safety cameras set up across the country to detect such offences.
The roads minister said that the new strategy would allow for new technology to be deployed to better enforce the rules of the road.
“Mobile phone use, looking at apps, distracted driving in general is a complete scourge, but it is currently very hard to catch errant motorists and impose any sanctions,” Mr Lawless said.
"By adopting a new strategy where cameras and other technology can be used to assist, we will turn our road speed cameras into more efficient road safety cameras and that’s to be welcomed."
The programme itself is being developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the finalised document set to be completed before the end of the year.
It is due to set out the parameters for using so-called road safety cameras on national, regional, and local roads.
In its initial phase, it is understood that the new strategy will focus on using speed, red light, and bus lane cameras before being widened out to other breaches of road rules, including driving while using a mobile phone or without their seatbelt.
Earlier this year, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that cameras that automatically fine motorists who break red lights will be in place before the end of 2024.
As part of this, motorists will be automatically fined, reducing the costs and time required to pursue those who break red lights.
A total of 100 new road safety cameras are planned to be rolled out over 2025, while a second average speed camera zone and nine more static cameras are due to be completed before the end of the year.
The additional focus on road safety in recent months comes as 148 people have been killed on Irish roads throughout 2024.
On Saturday, a woman in her 70s was killed after a car mounted a footpath and struck her in Charleville, Co Cork, while a 19-year-old was killed after an incident involving a tractor near Oranmore in Co Galway.