The prevalence of uninsured drivers on Irish roads is an increasingly pressing issue for Gardaí and councils alike. With new technologies, like Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and mobile access to driver data, it’s becoming more accessible than ever to detect and penalise those who drive without insurance. In this post, we’ll look at how these new technologies are helping Gardaí and councils fight against uninsured drivers in Ireland.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology

ANPR technology is being employed by Gardaí around the country to detect whether or not a driver is insured quickly. This technology uses cameras to capture images of vehicles as they pass by; these images then have their license plates automatically scanned for any violations or lapses in insurance status. If the system detects that a vehicle doesn’t have valid insurance, the driver can be stopped and fined accordingly. This technology has been incredibly helpful for Gardaí as it allows them to quickly detect whether or not a vehicle has valid insurance coverage in just a few seconds - something that would otherwise take much longer if done manually.

Mobile Accessibility of Driver Data

The ability for Gardaí officers to access driver data from their mobile devices has also improved detection rates significantly. Before this technology was introduced, officers had to rely on manual checks which could take up valuable time – time that they could be using to patrol streets and keep the public safe. Now, with the help of mobile apps like “Garda Connect”, officers can quickly check whether or not a vehicle is insured directly from their phones. This has made it much easier for them to identify uninsured drivers and get them off the roads quickly and safely.

Insurance Ireland's Statistics on Uninsured Drivers in Ireland

According to Insurance Ireland’s latest statistics, there has been an increase in the number of uninsured drivers since 2018 – with close to 8% of all vehicles being driven without valid insurance cover at some point during 2019. The consequences for driving without insurance can be severe; penalties include fines up to €5,000 as well as up to 6 months imprisonment depending on the severity of the case. As such, it’s important for both police forces and councils alike to work together in order to reduce this number by actively enforcing laws against uninsured driving through use of ANPR and other technologies like “Garda Connect” mentioned earlier.

The issue of uninsured driving requires attention from both Gardaí forces and councils alike – with new technologies making it easier than ever before for law enforcement agencies to track down offenders swiftly and efficiently. Insurance Ireland’s statistics show us that there has been an increase in the number of uninsured drivers since 2018, which means that now more than ever, it is essential for police forces around the country to work together. Hence, as reduce this figure with effective enforcement tactics like ANPR technology and mobile accessibility of driver data via apps like “Garda Connect”.

With proper oversight from authorities, we hope this figure will eventually decrease over time - keeping our roads safer for everyone involved!

Irish Gardaí have recently begun to use Mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to detect people driving without insurance. Mobile ANPR allows Gardaí to take the equipment out of their vehicles and onto the streets to scan as many registration plates as possible across a broader area in a shorter space. However, these Mobile ANPR systems are costly and time-consuming and require highly trained engineers to install them. To avoid these restrictions, the Gardaí have developed a ‘plug-n-play’ system that combines Mobile ANPR with an iPhone device that can efficiently operate by ground-level law enforcement personnel. In addition, they are now using Drone ANPR, which has allowed them to expand their coverage drastically. With such technology in place, it has become increasingly difficult for uninsured drivers to escape detection.

Dublin, Galway, and Cork are now among the leading cities in Ireland to take advantage of the new automatic number plate recognition technology available on a mobile device for local Gardaí. This advanced technology brings a new level of surveillance to catching people violating road traffic regulations in the three metropolitan areas. It provides the Dublin, Galway, and Cork gardaí with an enhanced capability to monitor suspect vehicles quickly and efficiently, enabling them to target those deliberately trying to evade actual enforcement. While the exact details of how this technology is used remain confidential, it has been described as a “game changer” concerning holding people accountable for their road violations. Dublin, Galway, and Cork have affordable access to this revolutionary technology and surely will benefit from its implementation.

A 15% increase!

Insurance Ireland estimates that 174,000 drivers in Ireland are driving without the proper insurance coverage - a 15% increase since 2018. This is not only unethical, it also disrupts the marketplace and increases costs for regular policyholders. Insurance companies must take responsibility to close any loopholes which could make it easier for people to drive uninsured, and they should also increase their efforts to ensure that everyone on Irish roads has the necessary insurance coverage. Insurance costs can now be an even more significant burden on families, so it’s imperative Insurance Ireland continues its work to reduce the number of uninsured motorists and create a fair and competitive insured market.

Cloud first ANPR

Mobile First and cloud ANPR technology have enabled the Gardaí to take a huge step forward in combatting crime, mainly related to road traffic. Up until 2018, these innovations were only available in Garda vehicles, which severely limited our justice force’s effectiveness and efficiency when patrolling roads.

However, with Mobile First being released last year, the ability of the Gardaí to access driver data on their mobile phones has dramatically increased their patrol powers. Mobile Technologies and Cloud ANPR allow real-time streaming of driver data to any Gardaí who can access it almost instantaneously. This has proved invaluable in ensuring public safety while providing criminals are brought swiftly before the courts.