Road Safety

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Ceisteanna (735)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

735. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to prevent red light running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1666/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As per Section 30 of the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, as amended, red light running is an offence. Enforcement of the law is a function of An Garda Síochána. For running a red light a member of An Garda Síochána can issue 3 penalty points and an €80 fixed charge for failing to obey traffic lights. This rises to €120 if not paid within 28 days. If a driver is convicted in court, they could be fined a higher amount and receive 5 penalty points.

The increased deployment of safety cameras in the coming years is a key action to be delivered under the Phase 2 Action Plan of the all-of-Government Road Safety Strategy. The Phase 2 Action Plan was published in July 2025 and includes 12 primary actions supplemented by a further 77 support actions. These actions are being delivered collaboratively by road safety partners and align with commitments in the Programme for Government.

Work on the first National Safety Camera Strategy is progressing. The Department is working closely with road safety stakeholders including the NTA, TII, RSA and An Garda Síochána on how best to implement the Strategy. The Strategy will focus on speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in future. It is expected that the Strategy will be approved early in 2026. Once this strategy is in place, it will provide the framework for increased deployment of cameras across the network, in both urban and rural locations, to assist with the enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences.

My Department is also developing the next Road Traffic Bill to fulfil Programme for Government commitments, including in relation to graduated speeding penalties and camera-based enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.