A new system launched by Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, allows gardaí to quickly identify uninsured drivers from the roadside using the Garda Mobility app. This technology has already resulted in the seizure of over 7,300 vehicles since its introduction in January.
With access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database, gardaí can instantly verify the insurance status of a vehicle, leading to 1,840 seizures last month alone. This initiative follows a partnership between An Garda Síochána and the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) to combat the prevalence of uninsured vehicles on Irish roads.
According to MIBI, around 188,000 cars were uninsured in 2022, highlighting Ireland’s high rate of uninsured vehicles compared to the rest of Europe. Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman emphasized the importance of technology and data sharing in improving road safety and enforcing insurance regulations.
Penalties for driving without insurance include vehicle seizure, penalty points, and fines. Minister McEntee emphasized the government’s commitment to road safety and highlighted additional measures, such as mandatory road safety policing for uniformed gardaí.