Gardaí hope technology will reduce number of ‘boy racers’

GARDAÍ hope that new technology aimed at reducing the number of “boy racers” on the country’s roads will be in place by the early part of next year.

The force has gone to tender on noise detectors that will gauge the level of noise coming from a car exhaust.

The gardaí have also sought tenders for equipment to test the level of tint on car windows, amid concerns that some cars with blacked out windows cause driver impairment.

The measures were discussed at length earlier this year but Inspector Pat Curran of the Gardaí’s National Traffic Fleet said it was hoped all the equipment would be available in the new year.

In addition, An Garda Síochána has also sought tenders for digital tachograph equipment that can monitor driver fatigue and are seen as particularly useful for HGV and other lorry drivers.

The tachographs will be linked to laptops for Garda use.

Insp Curran also revealed that more vehicles are equipped with Automated Number Plate Recognition technology on board.

The additional technology means that every Garda car has a computer and two fixed cameras onboard which register the licence plates of other cars and are able to instantly inform gardaí whether tax and insurance has been paid – as well as any other data pertaining to the vehicle.

Insp Curran said 104 vehicles were now equipped with the technology, up from the figure of 94 earlier this year.

Meanwhile, motorists will again face a drink-driving crackdown this year as gardaí get ready to launch Operation Lockdown prior to the Christmas holidays.

In Dublin, this will mean 16 mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints, as well as increased speed enforcement.