Calls to build more traffic cameras are ‘partly motivated by the thought to make life unpleasant’ for drivers, a transport expert has argued. 

There are currently two red light cameras in Dublin which, in their short life span, have detected thousands of motorists breaking the rules of the road. 

Fine Gael’s candidate in the Dublin Central by-election has called for more to be “introduced as soon as possible” across the capital.

Cllr Ray McAdam argued that “if we’re serious about road safety we need to see a wide rollout across Dublin”. 

However, speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, motoring expert Conor Faughnan said breaking red lights is not new behaviour. 

“Look, you will see some bad behaviour in the traffic in our busy cities in your Galways, your Dublins, your Corks,” he said. 

“It does happen from time to time; it's not a principal source of danger but it may be a significant source of traffic congestion and in any case it's bad behaviour. 

“I don't sympathise terribly much with a motorist who does break the lights.” 

Mr Faughnan continued that he has concerns about whether greater surveillance benefits wider society. 

“I mean, there are that many CCTV cameras in Dublin City,” he said. 

“It would be technically possible to watch you every inch of your journey, the moment you stuck your nose out of your own door.

“And again, if you're only looking at road safety you might say, ‘Well, why not? Let's do that.’

“But there's probably a broader conversation about how comprehensively we want to be surveyed 24-7.” 

Drivers in heavy traffic in Dublin. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Mr Faughnan also said he believes some people who want more traffic lights simply want to make life more difficult for drivers. 

“The simple notion of looking out at all those cars and - partly motivated by the thought that we have to make life unpleasant for them - and thinking, ‘If there's anything that we can do to sort of add another obstacle or deterrent, well then let's do it, we'll do some good’,” he said.  

“I'm not sold on that, I'm really not.” 

Gardaí carrying out road policing duties. Picture by: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Mr Faughnan added that the best way to cut the number of people dying or getting seriously injured on Irish roads is to increase the number of Gardaí policing the roads. 

“If you're evidence-led in terms of what helps protect people, what reduces accidents, what keeps us safer, you'd be investing in other things before you'd be investing in widespread red-light cameras - not least Gardaí,” he argued. 

“We've a national camera strategy coming up now and while I'm likely to like some of the stuff that's in it, you would fear that Government would see this as an excuse for not doing the very basic thing, which is investing in Gardaí. 

“Gardaí traffic corps is at half its notional strength, half its notional strength.” 

So far this year, 58 people have died on Irish roads - two fewer than died during the same period in 2025.

Main image: A traffic light camera. Picture by: Alamy.com.