Louth councillor backs garda CCTV use to deter dangerous driving

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

A Dundalk councillor has backed the use of CCTV as part of road safety measures aimed at deterring dangerous driving.

Independent councillor Ciaran Fisher said a recent public consultation launched by An Garda Síochána on a draft Code of Practice for Public Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) represents “a step towards strengthening road safety through technology”.

An Garda Síochána is inviting submissions from the public nationwide on how public CCTV should be governed and used, with the consultation remaining open until 24 February 2026.

“I think there is enormous potential for CCTV to play a complementary role in the Gardaí’s policing of the roads,” Cllr Fisher said.

“So long as it is implemented in accordance with a well-considered code of practice and informed by community feedback, I would support expanding this technology to monitor and enforce compliance in high-risk locations.”

He said the introduction of cameras could be an effective deterrent to dangerous driving behaviours.

“It can deter behaviours such as excessive speeding, red-light violations and other high-risk actions that contribute to preventable collisions and fatalities on Irish roads,” he said.

Cllr Fisher pointed to evidence from locations in Ireland where camera enforcement has already been introduced, stating that driver compliance rates often exceed 98 per cent.

“That leads to lower speeds, fewer crashes and lives saved. This is also the case in many other countries that use digital cameras for this purpose,” he said.

He said integrating fixed traffic cameras with public CCTV systems, guided by the consultation process, would build on that proven evidence.

“It provides a practical, relatively low-cost way to strengthen enforcement and better protect all of our road users, in particular vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.

According to the councillor, CCTV could also support more targeted policing and help discourage violations at their source.

“It fosters safer environments for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and families alike. I see it as a welcome advancement in aligning technological solutions with community needs,” he said.

However, Cllr Fisher stressed the importance of responsible implementation.

“It’s clear there is a role for technology to play in improving road safety. What I’m hoping for is a responsible adoption of intelligent monitoring systems that prioritise safety over intrusion,” he said.

He also called for better use of existing technology, suggesting that digital speed signs — which display the speed of passing vehicles — should record the data they capture.

“When the council looks at an intervention such as a speed ramp, a speed survey is often required. These are typically carried out using wires across the road for a period of time,” he said.

“If existing digital speed signs were recording speeds in areas that are already of concern, we would have continuous data from those locations to support potential interventions.”

Cllr Fisher encouraged those concerned about road safety, including the use of cameras to detect speeding and red-light offences, to take part in the Garda consultation.

He said public engagement would help shape an effective and balanced framework for the future use of CCTV.

Submissions can be made via the Garda website at www.garda.ie, by following the path: About Us > Organisational Structure > Garda Equipment > Public CCTV.