Louth councillor urges public to have their say on CCTV plans to improve road safety

A public consultation launched by An Garda Síochána on the draft Code of Practice for Public Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) could play a significant role in improving road safety across Louth and beyond, according to Louth County Councillor Ciaran Fisher.

The consultation, which is open until 24 February 2026, invites members of the public to submit their views on how public CCTV should be governed and used. Councillor Fisher has welcomed the move, saying that, if implemented responsibly and guided by community input, CCTV technology could help deter dangerous driving and reduce preventable collisions on Irish roads.

Councillor Fisher highlighted the potential for CCTV to complement existing Garda road policing, particularly in high-risk locations and for the protection of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

“So long as it is implemented in accordance with a well-considered code of practice and informed by community feedback, it can be an effective tool to deter dangerous driving. It could deter behaviours such as excessive speeding, red-light violations, and other high-risk actions that contribute to preventable collisions and fatalities on Irish roads.

“I support expanding this technology to monitor and enforce compliance in high-risk locations. Where this has been tried already in Ireland, driver compliance often exceeds 98%, leading to lower speeds, fewer crashes, and lives saved. This is the case in many other countries that use digital cameras for this purpose.”

Councillor Fisher also said that integrating fixed and public CCTV systems can provide a cost-effective way to strengthen enforcement and better protect all road users, particularly vulnerable groups such as cyclists and pedestrians.

He continued: “It could be a useful tool to enable more targeted policing, discourage violations at the source, and foster safer environments for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and families alike. So I see it as a welcome advancement in aligning technological solutions with community needs.

“It’s clear there is a role for technology to play in improving road safety. What I'm hoping for is a responsible adoption of intelligent monitoring systems that prioritise safety over intrusion.”

He further suggested that existing digital speed signs should record the speeds they display, providing continuous data that could support road safety interventions without the need for temporary speed surveys. “It’s a simple example of how existing technology can be applied to improve road safety.”

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He concluded: “In relation to the application of digital cameras for running red lights and speeding, all those committed to reducing road trauma are encouraged to review the draft Code of Practice and contribute their views before the deadline, helping to shape an effective, balanced framework for the future.”

You can read about the plans and make a submission on the Garda website by following this path:

www.garda.ie > About Us > Organisational structure > Garda Equipment > Public CCTV.”