Number of Gardaí in Traffic Corps set to fall

The number of Gardaí policing the countries roads is to be scaled back.

The reduction in the Traffic Corps comes despite warnings against such a move from the Road Safety Authority.

Its increased strength in recent years is credited as a major contributor to falling road deaths which are expected to drop below 200 this year, for the first time since records began.

According to reports this morning, the number of Gardaí in the traffic corps has already been cut from 1,200 to 950, and is set to decrease further in 2012.