A safety initiative entitled "Light Up” was held nationally on Wednesday, the 20th and Thursday, the 21st February 2013.
Its aim was to address the significant issue of defective, broken, missing or inappropriate use of fog lights/ lamps in an effort to save lives. Garda members specifically targeted and intercepted drivers who had defective lighting, or were using them inappropriately on their vehicles.
Members of the public were advised of this initiative in advance. This gave drivers and riders an opportunity and an incentive to rectify any defects that may be present on their vehicles and thus avoid prosecution, whilst at the same time make their vehicles safer.
The following returns were detected for this initiative:
Garda Region | Advice Given <_o3a_p> (Offences detected and dealt with by advice to motorist) | Offences <_o3a_p>(Fixed Charge Notice / Prosecution) |
<_st13a_city _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Dublin<_o3a_p> | 89 <_o3a_p> | 50 <_o3a_p> |
Northern <_o3a_p> | 179 <_o3a_p> | 46 <_o3a_p> |
Southern <_o3a_p> | 380 <_o3a_p> | 128 <_o3a_p> |
Eastern <_o3a_p> | 195 <_o3a_p> | 43 <_o3a_p> |
Western <_o3a_p> | 190 <_o3a_p> | 17 <_o3a_p> |
South Eastern <_o3a_p> | 56 <_o3a_p> | 33 <_o3a_p> |
TOTAL <_o3a_p> | 1,089 <_o3a_p> | 317 <_o3a_p> |
Top 4 Lighting Offences <_o3a_p> | Offences <_o3a_p> |
No right front lamp <_o3a_p> | 114 (36%) <_o3a_p> |
No left front lamp <_o3a_p> | 86 (27%) <_o3a_p> |
No right rear lamp <_o3a_p> | 21 (6%) <_o3a_p> |
No left rear lamp <_o3a_p> | 35 (11%) <_o3a_p> |
TOTAL <_o3a_p> | 256 (80%) <_o3a_p> |
Assistant Commissioner Gerard Phillips said:-
"We cannot ignore the fact that as of today, 39 people have lost their lives, which is 14 more than this period last year. We appeal to the public to get the basics right, i.e. slow down, wear your seatbelts always and make yourself as visible as possible when walking or cycling. An Garda Síochána will, through enforcement and education, ensure compliance with all road traffic laws thereby ensuring safer roads for all but ultimately we need the public’s help and support in doing so.”
Commissioner Phillips continued:-
"This "Light Up” safety initiative was always about raising awareness of this issue, and getting drivers and riders to rectify their defects, rather than detections made. Although there were 317 prosecutions detected, many people took our advice and rectified their defect or the inappropriate use of fog lights or fog lamps beforehand. We would like to express our thanks to the public for their support of operation "Light Up”. Initiatives such as these ultimately help make our vehicles and roads safer for all.”
Noel Brett, CEO of the RSA added:-
"While it is disappointing to see so many drivers being prosecuted for serious vehicle lighting defects, it is important to realise that it is a very serious road safety issue. For example a car driving in the dark with a broken headlight could easily be mistaken for a motorcyclist. The consequences of this happening are unthinkable. That’s why I would urge drivers, to set aside a couple of minutes before a journey to perform a quick check of their vehicle lights. A couple of minutes that will give you peace of mind knowing you are not facing a fine, prosecution or worse, being responsible for a crash further down the road. In addition the misuse of front and rear fog lights is also a serious problem as such lights can dazzle and blind drivers. They should only be used in snow or foggy conditions and be switched off afterwards. ”
*A spokesperson from the Garda National Traffic Bureau will be available tomorrow morning 7th March 2013. Please email request for interviews to the Garda Press Office email –
pressoffice@garda.ie *
Note to editors
1) Advice/ Offences
Some offences were detected during daylight hours and it was deemed appropriate that it be dealt with by way of advice to motorist.
A Fixed Charge Notice has to be paid within 56 days from date of issue. If it is not paid, a prosecution will commence by way of summons.
2) Background
As of 6th March 2013, 39 people have been killed on Irish roads, 14 more than this date last year.
Of the 39 killed, 25 alone have been drivers (64%) and 7 have been pedestrians (18%)
There have been 5 fatalities in the past 7 days.
Fatalities to date 6th March 2013:
Pedestrians 7
Drivers 25
Passengers 3
Motorcyclists 2
Pedal Cyclists 2
