New garda app is a game changer for road policing
A new garda app aimed specifically at enhancing roads policing was showcased in County Wexford last week and is being regarded as a potential game changer in terms of catching motorists who break road traffic laws.
While the app has been in existence for a short while on Thursday some of the most senior members of the force travelled to County Wexford to coincide with training sessions for local members in how to use the app.
Sergeant Colum Matthews, from Enniscorthy Garda Station, told this newspaper that the new app means members can check vehicle registrations as they approach checkpoints and if a registration is red flagged for any reason that vehicle can then be stopped.
The Active Mobility App will be used by the Road Policing Unit across Wexford initially but the plan is roll it out to all members over the coming months.
It means that tickets will be able to issue on the spot when vehicles are found to be non-compliant
When that happens gardai on street patrols will be able to randomly check registration plates to ensure the vehicles are compliant with road traffic legislation in terms of NCT, insurance and tax.
In addition to Sgt Matthews among those who were in attendance for the training seminar in Enniscorthy were Assistant Commissioner of the South
Eastern Region, Dave Sheehan, Superintendent Gerry McGrath (Enniscorthy), Inspector Syl Hipwell (Enniscorthy), Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman (Roads Policing), and Sgt Kevin Bolger (Gorey Roads Policing Unit).
The event took place on Thursday and as part of the session the app was put to use on the public road near Enniscorthy where members of the Roads Policing
Unit set up a checkpoint.
Sgt Matthews said four vehicles were found to be non-compliant while the checkpoint was in place and were subsequently seized.