200,000 road offences prompt call for increased policing from Tipperary TD
Michael Murphy TD says roads policing efforts aren’t strong enough
Nearly 200,000 road traffic offences were recorded across the country in the past year, prompting calls for increased Garda roads policing from south Tipperary Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy.
The figures were provided by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan in response to parliamentary questions submitted by Deputy Murphy in recent weeks.
The data highlights the scale of road safety issues nationwide with more than 45,000 motorists recorded travelling in excess of 100 km/h limits, while over 22,000 penalty points handed out to people caught using mobile phones behind the wheel.
Deputy Murphy said the volume of offences points to a widespread problem on Irish roads.
“Nearly 200,000 road traffic offences in a single year — that gives you a sense of the scale of the challenge we’re facing,” he said.
“When you put these figures alongside the number of people killed on our roads last year and already this year, it’s deeply concerning. These aren’t abstract statistics — they translate into lives lost and families devastated.”
He said stronger enforcement and increased visibility of Garda roads policing units would be needed to change driver behaviour and reduce dangerous practices.