Dublin to erect cameras to catch people crashing red lights

Brendan Burgess

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Cameras to catch drivers breaking red lights to be introduced in Dublin

Red light cameras will capture registration numbers of drivers putting pedestrians and other cars at risk
www.irishtimes.com

The cameras were introduced for a six-month trial in 2015 on traffic lights at the junction of Blackhall Place and the Luas Red line in Dublin’s north inner city, following a number of crashes where vehicles failing to stop at the red light was the main contributory factor.

The trial was hugely successful with the number of drivers breaking the light falling by half in the second three months of the trial, and no successful court appeals against fines. However, the trial was discontinued and never repeated.
 
Was this not included in a traffic measure to be implemented nationwide and announced earlier this year for the country as a whole ?
 
I pass by
I pass that junction and the nearby Queen Street/Benburb Street one regularly on foot and in the car and still see lots of vehicles blocking the junction in spite of the cameras, traffic lights, signs, flashing lights embedded in the road surface, etc. I don't know if these - as opposed to those who actively run the red light or crash into the Luas - get an automatic ticket/fine?
 
What about cyclists, scooter riders etc. A lot of those run red lights too so how can these be equally fined etc.

These types of camera are very popular in London, they also fine you for stopping in the yellow box, going through bus gates etc.
 
Red means stop has started to feel like the exception rather than the rule.

I'm sure it's always been an issue on some scale but I've definitely noticed it more since COVID. Perhaps an extended break from driving has resulted in (more) bad habits.

The cameras - or anything else that reminds people to obey the rules and improve the safety for all users - are a good idea. However, it feels like such a common issue now I wonder how many would be needed to change habits. It's definitely not limited to Dublin city centre.
 
skrooge said:
I wonder how many would be needed to change habits. It's definitely not limited to Dublin city centre.
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A small amount of portable cameras are all that would be required. These could be battery powered and contain a memory chip or directly transmit using a SIM card.

Lidl in the past sold cameras that could be hung on a tree in a person's back garden. These had movement detection and a built in memory and were designed to capture shots of wildlife in the garden. They cost under 80 euro.

Something like these randomly placed at traffic lights for short periods are all that would be required.

If the fine is painfully large, say 1k, very few drivers will continue to break red lights.
 
S class said:
If the fine is painfully large, say 1k, very few drivers will continue to break red lights.
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Breaking a red light is also 3 penalty points as well as a fine. You don't need a heavy fine, do it 4 times and you are off the road.

It is a brilliant idea and should be on all traffic lights. Running amber lights is so common in Ireland (I am guilty of this too). Knowing you will get a fine and penalty points if you do it, will cut that right out.
Clamball said:
What about cyclists, scooter riders etc. A lot of those run red lights too so how can these be equally fined etc.
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How are you supposed to identify them? With cars and motorcycles, there is a number plate, so you just send the fine to the registered address. How do you send a fine to some young fella in black north face gear with a hood up and snood covering his face?
 
Brendan Burgess said:
If I crash the lights on my bicycle, I am endangering myself.
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Not necessarily just yourself...

Pedestrian (70s) dies five days after being struck by cyclist

Woman was taken to hospital after late night incident on Ranelagh Road in Dublin 6
www.irishtimes.com

Cyclist Charlie Alliston jailed for 18 months over death of pedestrian

Alliston jailed over death of Kim Briggs, who sustained ‘catastrophic’ head injuries in east London collision last year
www.theguardian.com

Cyclist not guilty of causing pedestrian's death by "wanton or furious driving" after trial over "3mph" towpath collision

The son of the elderly pedestrian who died addressed renewed call for 'dangerous cycling' laws by suggesting legislation should be updated, but it's "crucial" that cyclists get more infrastructure and "a safe space to cycle" before any "punitive approach"
road.cc

Cyclist who hit pedestrian while on wrong side of the road avoids jail | BreakingNews.ie

Keith Paget (39) was cycling at speed on the wrong side of the road and was undertaking a van when he hit the pedestrian, causing a bleed on the brain
www.breakingnews.ie
 
People on foot can be dangerous too.

There was an incident in the Phoenix Park many years ago where a jogger in a bicycle lane caused the death of a cyclist.

I witnessed an accident in George's street where a pedestrian stepped out on the road without looking an caused a cyclist to brake suddenly. The cyclist ended up in a heap on the ground with a brake lever stuck up his nose.

He was left sitting on the road bleeding profusely and the pedestrian just walked away.
 
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ClubMan said:
Not necessarily just yourself...
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So you managed to find two from Ireland. One in 2022 and one in 2024. (And it does not appear that either is due to crashing lights)

Now, maybe do a check to see how many pedestrians have been killed in Ireland by cars between 2022 and 2024.

The point remains that cars are very dangerous to other people and cyclists are a lot less dangerous to other people.


Brendan
 
Brendan Burgess said:
The more important question is why would you want to?

If I crash the lights in my car, I am endangering other people.

If I crash the lights on my bicycle, I am endangering myself.
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Depending on the circumstances, you may well be endangering others, alongside yourself, while on your bike, Mr. Burgess.
 
skrooge said:
Red means stop has started to feel like the exception rather than the rule....
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I put much of that down to widespread motorist frustration, with the anti motorist tactics being deployed by councils (particularly Dublin City Council).

People lead busy lives, are regularly under pressure, and need to commute efficiently.

While Ireland fails to provide suitable, reliable, efficient, public transport, and continues with the anti-motorist tactics, I fear things will only get worse, given most motorists have no viable transport alternative, with frustration continuing to grow.
 
I appreciate the psychoanalysis but as I said in another thread, I put it down to motorists in this country having a significant minority of mindless selfish cretins as well as apparently, being legally blind. Like the moron who insisted on entering a filling station past a "NO ENTRY" sign and over a solid white line with a dashed line on the station side.
 
While all these factors and more can be given to try and justify such actions does it really make the running of red lights justifiable?
 
Brendan Burgess said:
And surely you should include pedestrians in that list as well?
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As far as I understand cyclists and scooter users need by law to follow all road rules, but pedestrians are not prosecuted for breaking the rules of the road.

While cyclists and scooter users do not have registration numbers and cannot be identified by cameras should the Gardai enforce the rules of the road with both groups, so that all road users are encouraged to comply with the law.

I too have seen a pedestrian cause a cyclist to crash on the quays in Dublin by walking out in front of him.
 
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