Red light traffic camera to monitor drivers at Merrion Gates level crossing
A traffic camera that detects cars running red lights and speeding is to be installed at a notorious level crossing in Dublin 4.
Merrion Gates, the crossing between Booterstown and Sydney Parade stations, has been the scene of a number of previous incidents with drivers ignoring signals.
Speaking at yesterday’s monthly council meeting, Dublin City Council’s (DCC) head of traffic, Brendan O’Brien, said the red light camera was just “awaiting approval” from gardaí.
The project, he said, is led by Irish Rail, but DCC was giving assistance. An Irish Rail spokesperson said the ‘GoSafe’ camera had been installed, and was currently in the testing phase.
The camera will catch motorists who break red lights, and will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems to identify lawbreakers and automatically issue fines.
They are seen as a low-cost, efficient way to police busy traffic junctions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and take pressure off An Garda Síochána.
Green Party councillor Feljin Jose, the party’s spokesperson on transport, said there is a “huge issue” in this country with motorists running red lights at level crossings.
“It’s incredibly dangerous, it causes delays. Almost every week, there’s an incident where a motorist has struck a level crossing,” he said.
“It causes widespread delays for tens of thousands of people. So, this is a programme to increase compliance.
“I hope we can build on this and get red light cameras for road traffic offences. It’s very badly needed.”
In June, Irish Rail said that up to six red light cameras would be placed at level crossings around the country, highlighting the spots on the network with the highest number of accidents.
The Merrion Gates junction where the red light cameras are being installed
The Serpentine Avenue level crossing in Ballsbridge, Dublin, saw five incidents so far this year, with Sutton three, and Bray, Claremont, Coolmine, and Sandymount all registering two incidents, it said.
The update comes after DCC said it would be introducing the cameras at key junctions in Dublin in the first half of the year, following a pilot project at Blackhall Place 10 years ago.
Mr O’Brien said once red light cameras are up and running, he hopes to be able to roll out bus lane enforcement cameras, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).
In response to a query from Green Party councillor Ray Cunningham about roughly 100 motorists an hour flouting traffic rules on Eden Quay, as reported by the Irish Independent, Mr O’Brien said bus lane enforcement cameras would be part of the solution.
Red light cameras were introduced on a pilot basis in 2015 at traffic lights at the junction of Blackhall Place and the Luas Red Line in Dublin’s north inner city by the then Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe.
The cameras cost €30,000 to install and were operated for just six months. But in that time, 813 violations were detected.
Red-light offences incur three penalty points and an €80 fine, rising to €120 if not paid within 28 days.