Dublin - traffic plan begins tomorrow

The Operation Freeflow traffic management plan for Dublin will swing into action at 6.30am tomorrow. Dozens of dedicated traffic gardai will be backed by an extra 163 student officers for the six-week initiative to ease gridlock during Christmas and the New Year.

Trouble spots such as Quality Bus Corridors, major traffic junctions, Luas interchanges and Nitelink services will be targeted for special attention by officers.

Deputy Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy briefed officers this weekend on the operation and promised rigorous enforcement of the Road Traffic Act. "Traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum for users of both public and private transport," he said.

Specialist Garda services also being deployed between tomorrow and Friday, January 5 include the Air Support Unit, the Garda Mountain Bike Unit, the Garda Regional Traffic Division, the Garda Mounted Unit and Garda Communications.

"Gardai on motorcycle, car and on foot patrol will also have specific duties to target and tackle any problems that may arise," Deputy Commissioner Murphy said. Further information on the plan is available at www.freeflow.ie and on Live Drive 103.2 FM.

Global Perspective:
Dublin, Ireland is not known for having a major rapid-transit system - rather, they are known for congested traffic. However, they are showing great initiative in tackling the underlying problems that rapid transit systems strives to solve. It's good to see a city making transit issues a priority and finding efficient ways to ease commuter woes.

Source: The Irish Times