New AI tech considered to tackle wrong-way driving
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New AI tech considered to tackle wrong-way driving
Updated / Friday, 28 Aug 2026 20:26
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AI technology could be used in conjunction with existing road cameras
Fiachra Ó Cionnaith 
AI technology and road cameras could be used to alert people more quickly to someone driving the wrong way down a motorway and to help gardaí in their pursuit of the individuals.
Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney outlined the possible move as he separately said new tougher laws to tackle a spate of recent wrong-way motorway driving incidents will be drafted next week and could be in place by the end of the year.
Speaking to reporters at Government Buildings after an initial meeting with gardaí, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Road Safety Authority, Minister Canney said it is crucial Ireland makes wrong-way motorway driving an "intolerable" act in this country.
The Independent TD said this includes the potential use of AI technology in conjunction with the existing road camera network, which he said could help to better protect the public by providing quicker safety warnings.
"There is an opportunity with AI and the camera technology which we have at the moment," he said.
He added: "The M50, for example, is well covered with cameras, and on the road to Cork there is a lot of camera networks there.
"What we need to do is continue with AI technology to help us detect quicker what's going on, maybe have alerts quicker, and also the gardaí would then maybe be better placed to see how they deal with it."
Minister Canney separately said his department, which will have formal responsibility for any upcoming law changes, will meet with Department of Justice and other officials "next week" to draft new legislation to address wrong-way motorway driving.
Tougher penalties
Pressed on what it would involve and why any new legislation is needed when the act is already illegal, he said "the penalty" would be tougher, but did not elaborate, later confirming he believes potential new laws will be part of the new Dáil term's priority legislation, and that he wants them in place by the end of the year.
Mr Canney also said he believes social media platforms such as TikTok have a responsibility to do more to address the situation, and that officials are "monitoring" activities on the site.
He said other road safety measures are being examined based on protections for the public in place in other countries, name-checking the US.
Mr Canney was also separately asked if he has confidence in the Road Safety Authority's most senior officials, saying he has "full confidence" in the organisation.
- * *
**Read more:**32% rise in wrong-way driving incidents on Irish motorways, says TII
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