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Road Traffic Offences Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2019

Thursday, 14 February 2019

Questions (108)

Catherine Martin

Question:

108. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of successful prosecutions made arising from the use of data from the pilot scheme of red light running cameras in Dublin city at the junction of Benburb Street and Blackhall Place; the period in which these cameras were operational; and his future plans for such cameras. [7496/19]

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Written answers

In responding to the Deputy’s current Parliamentary Question, I will also address outstanding queries in relation to the pilot raised by the Deputy in Question Nos. 264 of 26 June 2018 and 331 and 332 of 18 September 2018.

As the Deputy is aware, I requested reports from An Garda Síochána and the Courts Service in relation to statistics sought by the Deputy last year concerning the number of successful prosecutions and fines arising from the pilot. I have since received those responses and am setting out the position with regard to the pilot scheme.

The Deputy will be aware that the aim of the pilot red light camera monitoring system along the Red Luas line at the Blackhall Place/Benburb Street Junction was to reduce the number of road traffic collisions between trams and road vehicles caused by motorists breaking red lights at the junction. The project was established between Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána and ran between 4 June 2015 and 3 December 2016.

The Deputy will appreciate that, in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality, I had no role in relation to this pilot project, beyond providing the necessary authorisation under section 81(7) of the Road Traffic Act 2010. The role of An Garda Síochána in relation to the pilot was to perform its statutory function in prosecuting offenders identified by the camera monitoring system.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that during the period the pilot was in operation, there were 1,300 detections. 737 of these detections were accepted and processed for prosecution, while 563 were rejected. Cyclists accounted for 73% of all rejections. Detections may also be rejected due to obscured/obstructed camera images, or in cases where the vehicle registration is not visible. 624 Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) were issued, of which 440 FCN amounts were paid (71%).

I am advised by the Courts Service that its data is not recorded in such a way that allows for the compilation of statistics relating to this pilot.

As per my previous replies to the Deputy’s questions on the pilot, An Garda Síochána is not currently aware of plans to introduce similar red light camera monitoring systems at any other locations.

I hope that this information will be of assistance to the Deputy. Given that the primary responsibility for projects of this nature lies with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the Deputy may wish to address further queries relating to the Blackhall Place/Benburb Street Junction pilot to that agency.

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