Garda deploy unmarked HGV to target distracted driving
By Rebecca Black, PA
Gardaí has deployed an unmarked HGV in a bid to detect those driving while distracted.
It is aimed at helping reduce fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions, and at protecting vulnerable road users.
The vehicle will be used by roads policing units nationwide as part of Operation IOMPAR, which will provide targeted enforcement on the dual carriageway and motorway network throughout the country.
Gardaí said they have detected more than 15,000 people using their phone while driving so far this year, almost 2,000 more than during the same period in 2023.
Last month, 421 drivers received a fine and penalty points on their licence after using their phone behind the wheel.
Gardaí said since the introduction of Operation IOMPAR, more than 100 drivers have been detected during three periods of action using the HGV – the majority of which were found to be using their phone while driving.
They said because of the height of some vehicles, the HGV makes it easier to detect motorists committing offences such as travelling without a seatbelt, using a phone or electronic device while driving, holding a mobile phone or engaging in other poor driving behaviour that can distract and, therefore, potentially lead to a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision.
The Operation IOMPAR HGV is driven by a specially trained member and an observer is responsible for detecting distracted drivers.
The observer will relay the information to the enforcement team working alongside the HGV in marked and/or unmarked interceptor vehicles. These must then stop the distracted driver and deal with any offences.
Superintendent Stephen McCauley said: “It’s not always easy to clearly observe the irresponsible drivers of some vehicles on a dual carriageway or motorway so introducing an unmarked HGV will hugely support our work.
“Operations like this are important because they mean that those that are detected for a road traffic offence must consider their unsafe driving. Drivers need to know that there is a real risk of them causing a fatal or serious injury collision if distracted and not keeping their full attention on the road.
“Ensuring that road users are safe requires us to keep at pace with the latest in technology and to be strategic about how we drive home the message.”
