Driving skills of gardaí criticised in road policing report

THOUSANDS OF gardaí who are not properly trained to drive patrol cars are causing a “serious safety issue”, the Garda Inspectorate said yesterday.

The inspectorate noted in a review of roads policing that about 2,600 gardaí were driving Garda cars on “chief’s permission”. This is a situation where senior gardaí allow untrained officers to drive patrol cars because of a shortage of fully trained members.

“This is a serious safety issue for police officers and the public. It must be addressed urgently,” the report states. It said the issue was also highlighted in a report last year.

There is a capacity for only 600 participants on the standard Garda driving course in Templemore each year.

However, even if capacity on this was increased, a 40 per cent failure rate would mean a backlog.

The inspectorate said the Garda must develop a “comprehensive driver training programme that effectively instructs all members in the safe operation of police vehicles”.

It should consider employing a private company to provide this service. The report recommends driving on “chief’s permission” should end as soon as possible, applicants to the Garda should hold a valid driving licence before they are employed and should complete a comprehensive police driving course during their probation training.

A review should be conducted after any collision involving a garda to determine if the officer involved needs remedial driver training, it added

The report, Roads Policing - Review and Recommendations, also urges gardaí to “provide a positive example” to members of the public when driving patrol cars.

In non-emergency situations, gardaí should fully comply with the rules of the road, “observing speed limits, traffic signals and refraining from the use of mobile phones while driving”, the report said. It makes 25 recommendations including:

A review by the Garda National Traffic Bureau of existing roads policing policy;

Dedicated accommodation for Garda traffic personnel;

The Garda should track and review the number, distribution and use of intoxilizer machines; and

A plan for the deployment of automatic number plate recognition devices should be developed.