Gardai have scrapped the Traffic Watch telephone number in favour of a Traffic Watch form – available on the Garda website – which will be monitored 24 hours a day.
This new form will replace the Traffic Watch number, which was first set up in 2001 and expanded nationwide in 2004.
Traffic Watch hopes to improve driver behaviour, reduce the number of road collisions and prevent fatalities.
Members of the public can report “non-emergency traffic-related incidents” using the online reporting form.
These online reports are logged by Garda staff at the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC), who then forward the report to the superintendent in the relevant area.
The superintendent then will appoint a member of An Garda Síochána to investigate the complaint.
The investigating member makes contact with the complainant to:
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Establish the complainant’s version of events
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Establish if there are other witnesses to the alleged incident
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Discuss the possible actions available
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Take a written statement of complaint
Where an offence is believed to be have taken place a file is submitted to the superintendent who will decide what action, if any, is to be taken.
In all instances, Gardaí say the complainant should be notified of the outcome of their complaint.
