There has been a 65 per cent reduction in the instances of cars dodging the toll on the M50 by tailgating trucks following the introduction of rear-facing cameras two months ago.
The new cameras have been installed on each side of the motorway and capture the rear numberplate of all vehicles. Motorists who drive close behind heavy good vehicles to hide their numberplate from the overhead toll cameras are no longer able to evade the toll.
In March, just before the new cameras were installed, there was an average of 208 instances of tailgating on the motorway each day. It is now down to 74 instances per day.
To date, some 106 motorists have been penalised for tailgating on the motorway. Such an offence attracts two penalty points and an €80 fine.
Gardaí have carried out four operations in recent months to catch cars driving close behind heavy goods vehicles in a bid to hide their numberplate.
A spokesman for the Garda Traffic Corps said footage from eflow cameras showed lorries which looked “almost as if they were towing” cars and vans at high speeds as they crossed the barrier-free toll.
He said there was a “potential for carnage” if one of the lorries braked suddenly.
Simon McBeth, director of communications at eFlow, the company that operates the toll system, said the rear-facing cameras were having the desired effect.
“However, there remains a small number of motorists who continue to offend. The introduction of rear facing cameras means that eFlow can now capture the rear licence plate number and subsequently, issue a toll request.
“Tailgating is a dangerous, reckless practice which puts lives at risk – all to avoid a €3 toll charge," he said.
Details of cars found to be tailgating will be passed to gardaí.