An Garda Síochána has a duty of care to police the illumination of cycles during “Lighting Up Time”. Discussed by Garda Des Curry at Terenure Residents' Association's recent AGM, a pilot Bicycle Rectification Scheme has been devised within the Terenure and Rathmines Garda District in conjunction with “Operation Switched On”. This initiative facilitates cautioning as an alternative to prosecution where the breaches of the Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 are discontinued. Compliance with the Rectification Scheme is running at 66%. The offenders who disregard the benefit of the scheme are summonsed.
The scheme affords cyclists found in breach of the Lighting Regulations an opportunity to avoid prosecution by producing their bicycles at a designated Garda Station at 11am on the Saturday morning following detection. If the bicycle is produced with lights, the offenders receive a free high-vis jacket provided by the Road Safety Authority.
For more information about the Bicycle Rectification Scheme and Operation Switched On click here. For information about cycling safely click here.