Gardaí have revealed that a new, unmarked HGV is in operation on the dual-carriageway and motorway network across the country to clamp down on distracted driving.
‘Operation IOMPAR’ aims to stop motorists using a phone or other electronic device while driving to help reduce fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions.
So far this year, Gardaí have detected over 15,000 people using their phone while driving. That’s almost 2,000 more than during the same period in 2023.
Last month, 421 drivers received a fine and penalty points on their licence having been found using their phone behind the wheel.
The introduction of Operation IOMPAR is already having yielding positive results – with over 100 drivers detected during three periods of action using the HGV – the majority of which were found to be using their phone while driving.
Due to the height of some vehicles, it can be difficult at times for Gardaí to detect motorists committing offences such as travelling without a seatbelt, using a phone or electronic device while driving holding a mobile phone or engaging in other poor driving behaviour that can distract and therefore potentially lead to a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision.
When in use on a targeted operation, the HGV allows Gardaí to observe drivers in any make, model or size vehicle from a more elevated position and therefore help them to enforce the key life-safer offences.
The Operation IOMPAR HGV is driven by a specially trained member and an observer is responsible for detecting distracted drivers.
The observer will relay the information to the enforcement team working alongside the HGV in marked and/or unmarked interceptor vehicles – these must then stop the distracted driver and deal with the offences.
Superintendent Stephen McCauley, An Garda Síochána Roads Policing said: “Ensuring that road users are safe requires us to keep at pace with the latest in technology and to be strategic about how we drive home the message. Our new HGC tractor unit will elevate our position on the roads and help us to detect any drivers committing offences but ultimately it’s about keeping people safe.”
