Gardaí seize car in Mayo town

A driver was left walking back into Ballyhaunis after a Garda patrol seized his vehicle on the Dublin Road near Ballyhaunis recently. 

The seizure was part of a continued focus on traffic infringements as part of a national campaign for safer roads, the Garda press office told this column.

“Gardaí stopped and seized a car at Devlis, Ballyhaunis, on July 14th at 1.35pm under the Road Traffic Act,” said the Garda statement.

The statement added: “Members of An Garda Síochána are empowered to detain vehicles that are in breach of regulations relating to driver licensing, tax, insurance, and NCT offences.

“An Garda Síochána operates proactive patrols and checkpoints throughout the country every day. An Garda Síochána remains committed to improving safety on our roads.” 

Gardai are working with other state bodies to deliver the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, “a strategic, coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to road safety…” said the statement, which also added that in 2024 the then Garda Commissioner Drew Harris issued a directive to all Garda members to conduct 30 minutes of high-visibility roads policing operations during each tour of duty. 

“This directive remains in place,” said the Garda press office.

The aim of the directive is to increase Garda visibility which has the effect of moderating driver and road user behaviour, said the press office statement, adding: “Increased enforcement is an added benefit.” 

This approach by Gardaí is modelled on a similar law enforcement approach in Sweden which was found to be successful in reducing road casualties.

Officers patrolling in Ballyhaunis are also using technology to track and detain vehicles. Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) gives local patrols the capacity to scan and read vehicle registration plates which are then automatically searched against a number of specific databases including vehicle insurance, motor tax, NCT (National Car Test) and CVRT (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test).

Garda mobility devices are smart phones that allow every member of the Garda force to use apps that search Garda databases on vehicles as well as information on individual drivers including licenses and insurance. Officers can check a vehicle’s insurance status in real time while on the roadside by checking its registration on the Garda Mobility App.