Gardai are considering using AI cameras to track motorists driving in bus lanes, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone or committing other driving offences.
It is understood that Justice Minister Simon Harris is working with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s department on legislation that would allow special AI (Artificial Intelligence) tech surveillance on our roads, the Irish Mirror reports. A source close to Minister Harris said that it is currently being "considered" and that the Department of Taoiseach is "working" with Justice on the project.
A tender document published by An Garda Síochána over the weekend reveals that the state-of-the-art cameras at the heart of a new €100 million system could also catch unsuspecting rogue drivers using bus lanes or breaking red lights.
Read more: Monster Graham Dwyer to make another attempt to have murder conviction overturned
The advanced AI cameras can even help gardai catch people unawares on their mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, even if they are not caught directly on camera.
The tender calls for: "the provision, installation, commissioning, maintenance and operation of safety cameras for the monitoring of vehicle speeds." The tender also adds that "proposed services may be expanded in the future (subject to legislative changes) to include, but not limited to the following; no seat belt detection, the use of mobile phones, average/variable speed detection and compliance with traffic lights and bus lane usage."
Currently, Dublin Port uses similar advanced technology in the Port Tunnel which runs between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre. The winning tender would be paid up to €100 million over the course of a six-year contract.
The planned use of the special hi-tech cameras on the roads by the gardai follows plans to use bodycams too. In February, Justice Minister Harris said that the new legislation would also apply to garda dogs too, with specific mention in the Garda Siochána Recording Devices Bill 2022 to ‘Garda canines’ being equipped with small cameras.
The provisions are part of the new bill that also gives powers to Garda officers to seize third party CCTV footage from shops and offices to help with investigations. Minister Harris said in the Dail: "In the modern, fully digitalised society, criminals, and especially organised crime gangs, have access to increasingly sophisticated digital tools to carry out their objectives.
"It is of crucial importance that An Garda Síochána have access to the latest technology to counter such challenges. A modern police service simply must have effective and up-to-date digital tools in order to keep our communities safe and also to protect themselves from those who would do them harm."
READ NEXT:
- 'My gang is bigger than their gang' - Garda Commissioner warns Hutch mob
- Dublin weather today: Met Eireann forecasts dramatic 14C temperature swing
- Mothers of Stardust fire victims describe grief and pain of loss at long-awaited inquest
- Fears emerge over potential EU toilet roll shortage due to new law
- Social welfare Ireland: Changes to payment dates this May bank holiday
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
