Crackdown on those who run red lights in is being considered

The plans were set in motion yesterday after Cork City Councillor Mary Shields told members of the city’s Joint Policing Committee that the problem was reaching “epidemic proportions” in her own local area.

“Almost every time I go out now I see it. People are breaking red lights, they’re driving straight through them. It’s blatantly breaking the law,” said Cllr Shields.

“It really is shocking me at the moment. It’s frightening. Something needs to be done about it.”

Cllr Shields said she has witnessed several instances of motorists driving through red lights at both Dennehy’s Cross and Victoria Cross.

“Perhaps the guards can go out and do a blitz in those areas that I have noticed and catch a few people because it’s just shocking,” she said.

“Also, there was talk recently about putting CCTV cameras on to traffic lights. I don’t know how far that has progressed but I think that would be very helpful in catching people doing something so dangerous.”

In response to Cllr Shields, Chief Superintendent Mick Finn said he could certainly look at setting up a “covert overt operation” at both of the junctions in question, as well as at other key points across the city.

He said Gardai in Cork had just completed a similar operation in relation to catching motorists on mobile phones.

As part of this operation, an undercover unit was set up to spot those using a phone while driving.

This unit was in contact with a marked unit further down the road which would subsequently stop the offending motorists.

“We’ve done a blitz on people using mobile phones while driving using this method and that was proven very effective,” said Chief Supt Finn.

“We could certainly look at doing something similar in relation to catching people breaking red lights at certain junctions.”