News & Info

In an effort to reduce the high number of road traffic accidents on Irish roads, Gardai have launched Operation Iompair, a new specialist road policing operation.

Unmarked trucks will be patrolling motorways to catch motorists using mobile phones or engaging in other dangerous driving behaviour while driving.

In order to stop a motorist for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving, the law states that the Garda must see the phone being held.

By patrolling in a truck, the height advantage means gardaí will be able to see down into any car and confirm whether the driver is using their phone.

They will also be on the same level as truck drivers and bus drivers, so will be able to see any road traffic offences that these drivers are committing.

The trucks will have two Gardaí in the cab: one driving the truck and another in the passenger seat acting as the observer. If a motorist is spotted using a phone, or committing any other road offences, a description of the vehicle, motorist and offence will be communicated to Gardaí in vehicles following at a distance.

Solicitor Paul Tracey says he is delighted to hear of this new initiative to tackle what has become an increasingly prevalent cause of road traffic accidents and fatalities.

“Road Safety Authority statistics have shown for a number of years that mobile phone usage while driving is a major cause of accidents on Irish roads.”

“This dangerous behaviour has unfortunately become increasingly common in Ireland. A strategy to encourage drivers to put their phones away while driving was essential, and I sincerely hope Operation Iompair achieves this goal,” he says.

Though the patrols are in their infancy, more trucks will be introduced over time and permanently based in each region. The trucks are currently based in Dublin and Kildare, and Louth will be the next county to introduce the operation.

Click here for more information on Operation Iompair.