Cork and Limerick are preparing to implement red light cameras and automatic fines following a successful trial in Dublin’s City Centre.
The expansion comes after hundreds of drivers were caught breaking red lights and illegally using bus lanes thanks to the new technology.
In Dublin, these cameras are now installed in some busiest junctions and bus lanes. A permanent system is expected to be fully operational by mid-2025.
The cameras use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to identify lawbreakers and automatically issue fines to the registered driver of the offending vehicle.
The move is part of a low-cost, high-efficiency strategy to manage traffic 24 hours a day and ease the workload of Gardaí and the Traffic Corp, which are already under significant pressure.
The responsibility for planning and installing these cameras falls to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
Although initial installations were delayed from late 2024, the project will proceed soon.
Transport Minister and former Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who announced the initiative in 2024, emphasized that it prioritizes the management of bus lanes, city parking, and traffic light adherence. He had initially aimed for a nationwide rollout by 2025, a target now deemed achievable.
Safety Concerns and Success in Dublin
Ryan also highlighted that red-light violations in Dublin pose a serious safety concern, a conclusion drawn from surveys conducted before the pilot program was launched.
In 2015, a six-month pilot at Blackhall Place and the Red Luas Line in Dublin’s North Inner City led to 813 fines and a dramatic reduction in collisions at the accident-prone intersection.
While Ireland is progressing with this technology, countries such as Australia, Canada, and the UK have long relied on ANPR systems to improve driver behaviour significantly.
Adopting red light cameras in Cork and Limerick is another step toward enhancing road safety and efficient traffic management nationwide.
