Clampdown on traffic light runners

PEDESTRIANS and cyclists, as well as motorists, are being targeted in a new Garda campaign aimed at reducing the number of accidents caused by running red lights at city junctions.

Gardaí, supported by the Road Safety Authority, Luas and Dublin Bus, will be focusing on traffic lights during October and November as part of the Safer Roads for Dublin campaign.

There are 1,620 sets of traffic lights in the Dublin region and Gardaí say road users are putting themselves at risk by driving, cycling or crossing through red signals.

“It may appear a minor traffic infringement, however the potential for harm is very great when, for example, a car encounters a cyclist where one of them has broken the red light,” a spokesperson said.

Earlier this year a fully automated red light camera was installed at Blackhall Place, Dublin 7, in an effort to reduce the number of cars breaking lights at the Luas junction there.

To date 155 drivers have been detected running the red light, with many significantly late through the junction.

Launching the new campaign, head of Dublin’s Traffic Corps, Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, said: “We are aiming this red light running campaign at all drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and appealing to them to reduce the risk to themselves and others by simply obeying the rules of the road when the traffic light is red.

“It seems a simple ask, and maybe a lesser offence, but when you consider there are 1,620 sets of traffic lights in Dublin, and look at what is happening in one junction alone, Blackhall Place, it is very apparent there is a very real problem with compliance.”

Last year 4,970 motorists were detected breaking red lights. So far this year, there have been 2,662 detections.