Louth Gardaí in M1 crackdown — learner behind HGV wheel among multiple offenders

Louth Gardaí have urged motorists to think twice before taking risks on the road after a series of dangerous driving incidents were detected on the M1 this week.

As part of an operation with Road Safety Authority (RSA) HGV inspectors, Dundalk’s Road Policing Unit stopped a heavy goods vehicle being driven by a learner permit holder who was unaccompanied. Gardaí say the driver had also not completed any CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) modules which is a legal requirement for professional drivers.

The individual was stopped from continuing their journey, and legal proceedings have commenced.

“This driver took a gamble and thankfully got stopped before something catastrophic could potentially happen,” Gardaí said. “These actions also undermine other companies who take Safety very seriously and try to do an honest day's work.”

The stop formed part of a wider operation targeting unsafe driving practices on the M1. Gardaí say they encountered several other serious breaches of road traffic legislation during the same week.

In one incident, Gardaí pursued a driver who was travelling at excessive speed, describing them as a “need for speed wannabe” with little thought for the safety of other road users. The motorist was issued with a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN).

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A second driver was detected travelling at 110 km/h in a van and trailer combination, despite an 80 km/h limit applying to such vehicles. An FCN was also issued in this case.

In a third, a motorist was caught driving at 141 km/h and was found to be an unaccompanied learner with no insurance. Their vehicle was seized at the scene and a prosecution is now underway.