Unmarked Garda lorry to crack down on unsafe driving

A new unmarked Garda lorry is being launched today in a bid to catch bad behaviour on the roads.

'Operation Iompar' involves Gardaí using a tractor unit fitted with blue lights to spot motorists and HGV drivers using their phones or not wearing seatbelts.

An unmarked patrol car follows the Garda lorry and then pulls in the offending vehicle.

The new lorry will be used by Roads Policing Units nationwide and will provide for "targeted enforcement on dual carriageway and motorway network throughout the country."

It will see two Gardaí in the lorry - a driver and an observer - with the observer spotting any offending drivers.

Gardaí say 'Operation Iompar' is already having yielding results - with over 100 drivers detected during three periods of action using the lorry - the majority of which were found to be using their phone while driving.

"Due to the height of some vehicles, it can be difficult at times for Gardaí 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 force says.

"When in use on a targeted operation, the HGV will allow Gardaí to observe drivers in any make, model or size vehicle from a more elevated position and therefore help them to enforce the key lifesaver offences."

Superintendent Stephen McCauley said the new approach will help detect unsafe driving.

"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," he said.

"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."

So far this year Gardaí have detected over 15,000 people using their phone while driving. That's almost 2,000 more than during the same period in 2023.

Last month 421 drivers received a fine and penalty points on their licence having been found using their phone behind the wheel.

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[MrElectricSkittles]

Putting a hard working man outta work for not wearing a seatbelt is diabolical policing

[Adam-zel]

Your ultimate goal is collecting more money for the state your fooling absolutely no body

[patrickboyle]

Putting a working man on the dole, great🙄

[seandonnellan]

Don't see a seat belt on the Garda either.

[quintinhands]

Piggý should rather worry about his own health, you are at danger of having a heart attack while driving

[tasha]

Reporter sitting on the bunk while truck is driving, guess some laws only apply to us peasants..

[pixieizzy]

Clowns, All this going on while Illegal immigrants are getting taxis down from Belfast, Well done lads👏

[darkwingduck]

When Did Policing become Just about Revenue Raising? I'm just curious because it happened so slowly none of us caught it😢😢😢

[JonnM]

This is a disgraceful attempt at news distraction by the Garda Síochána and the Dept of Justice. We had visitors from Germany last week. On their departure, after having spend three days touring and shopping in Dublin city centre, I was asked, with all sincerity, “Are there no police in Ireland?”. In every other city they’re visited, and there have been many there is always a visible police presence, but not in Dublin.

[ianhawe]

Wud they not be better of stopping and searching all those refugees around the country . Instead of ruining a hard working man's career

[amycarroll]

And will these trucks be watching out for illegal immigrants coming in from the north

[georgebush]

No gardi here in south West county Kilkenny where loads of illegal things happen on and off the roads. The smell says it all....

[straightedgestranger]

Congratulations cop you've put a strain on the economy/society by taking an essential service provider off the road.

[TheRRGhost]

Notice it's on a motorway they are doing this, which are the safest roads in the country, they are just shooting fish in a barrel. Go monitor accident hot spots

[thelotlhub]

It's a scania r450 with a driver seat, passenger seat and sleeper . Was the news reporter siting on the sleeper? And is this legal?

[ruangrant]

Looks like that Garda truck has a faulty tail light

[BenFarmer-uv]

And u still let him lose his license instead telling him or giving him a course

[michaelryan]

There is no point in having unmarked lorries on motorways the whole time they need to be on national roads, most accidents happen on the national roads,

[seanthermes]

Yes, sink more money into catching minor infringements, which are fine-able, instead of dealing with the newly arrived predators on our streets🥴, yes well done lads🥴.

[John-fgc]

Sly! Get money from the sheepel to pay for state protection! These guys are only state garda. Not for the people