Garda cop-on - New culture emerges within force

CHIEF Supt Aidan Reid of the Garda Traffic Corps oversaw a 24-hour anti-speeding campaign nationwide yesterday expressing his wish that not one motorist would be caught driving over the limit at checkpoints, the locations of which were posted on the Garda website.

Fri, 17 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

Editorial

That may seem strange; in fact, it is utterly sane, sensible and a signal that there is a new culture emerging under the tutelage of Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan.

Since taking over the role last November, she has shown both chutzpah and sensitivity in her dealings with members of the force, appointing garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe, as acting head of the traffic unit in Mullingar.

This anti-speed campaign isn’t about perpetuating a “crouching tiger, hidden garda” scenario where members of the force hide in bushes to catch speeding motorists. It is about education and treating motorists as mature adults.

Speed is still the number one killer on Irish roads, with 47 people having lost their lives so far this year. That figure alone should make the majority of motorists slow down.