Kilkenny gardaí slam warning flashes after recent motorway incident
Gardaí in Kilkenny take to social media to warn motorists about potential risks of flashing
Gardaí in Kilkenny have criticised motorists who flash headlights to warn drivers about garda checkpoints or patrols after an incident on the M9 involving an allegedly distracted driver.
“On this occasion the aim was to catch an errant motorist endangering other road users, another time it could be burglars of a house, a large drug consignment, a stolen car,” gardaí said in a statement shared online.
The warning came after a member of the Roads Policing Unit received a phone call asking if he was anywhere near the M9. The garda then made his way to Junction 9 at Danesfort while speaking hands-free to the caller.
According to gardaí, the member of the public reported that the driver of a vehicle “drove with the phone stuck to his ear for over 15km at motorway speed.”
The driver reportedly overtook the complainant’s vehicle and “was clearly distracted to a high degree.”
As the garda waited on the on-ramp at Junction 9, the complainant said “car after car were flashing to alert oncoming motorists of the garda presence.”
Gardaí said the warning flashes became so widespread that “the offending driver actually drove off the motorway before immediately rejoining.”
The motorist was eventually intercepted and, although not caught in the act, was issued with “a fixed charge notice with a €120 fine and three penalty points (based on complaint).”
Despite the criticism of those warning motorists about garda activity, gardaí also thanked members of the public who assist them.
“To the vast majority of people who actually help us make communities safer. THANK YOU.”