MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL is enlisting the help of CCTV cameras in what it’s calling a ‘war on boy racers’.
The council says drivers speeding and doing ‘donuts’ on public roads is a scourge, and is endangering their lives and the lives of others.
It’s calling on young people to be aware of their speed and is appealing to parents of those involved to take responsibility for their childrens’ actions.
Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer with Mayo County Council said that the damage caused by tyre marks on the roads can cost between €500 and €1,000 to repair, and that some residents lives have been turned into a ‘living nightmare’ by antisocial driving behaviour.
He also said that road signage is sometimes ripped down in order to facilitate some manoeuvres and to protect drivers’ tyres.
Gibbons told TheJournal.ie that the CCTV cameras are mobile and are being moved to various hotspots around the country and that some of the footage has already been forwarded to Gardaí and interviews have taken place.
He said that they want to highlight to motorists involved that they are being monitored, and that the council is aware that it is a “minority group” of people taking part in these activities.
Residents have reported incidences of drivers racing, skidding, honking horns, flashing lights and blaring loud music. One resident said he is certain that somebody will be killed at some point. He said the activities begin at around 1am and go on through the night:
It’s like have a new born baby in the house again and you’re getting disturbed sleep patterns.
Western region Traffic Superintendent Martin Cashen said that residents can be reluctant to report this type of behaviour and that in rural areas it can be difficult for Gardaí to catch the culprits in action before they are warned and move on.
Gardaí say that a statement from a member of the public is enough to bring a case to court due to the threat to public safety.
Noel Gibbons has said that the cameras have not deterred some drivers from using local hotspots, but that more cars are being identified and that down the line the council is anticipating an improvement in road behaviour.
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