Traffic Corps Program on RTE

-Chris-

I saw this info here, and thought it might be of some interest to Motors posters too.

We've sure had our share of pro & anti-Garda sentiment, it might be interesting to see what they actually have to put up with (or what they actually do).

King Ludvig wrote: »

Finally! Thanks OP

http://www.rte.ie/tv/trafficblues/index.html

Traffic Blues RTÉ One, Sunday, 8.30pm

"People are killed on the roads every day. In the first five months of 2009 alone, 100 lives were lost. From speeding, traffic jams, drunk driving, penalty points, fatigue at the wheel, the grind of the daily commute to mobile phone use at the wheel, the potential for danger on our roads is more stark than ever.

A new six-part observational series, Traffic Blues, shines a light into six months of the life of the Traffic Corps at all levels and across the country, but primarily in three divisions - the Dublin Metropolitan division based in Dublin Castle, the Louth division taking in stations in Drogheda and Dundalk and the Donegal division focusing on Burnfoot and Letterkenny.

Over six months, guards from the three units were accompanied by a film crew as they went about their daily business of enforcing the laws of the road throughout the country. Incidents from their daily business were combined with the relevant footage from ground, mobile and airborne cameras to reveal the situations the traffic division has to deal with and the often shocking attitudes and the behaviour of Irish drivers across the country."

lehanemore wrote: »

http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/traffic-blues-1748251.html


By Lorna Nolan


Friday May 22 2009

The bad behaviour of motorists is to be unveiled with a behind-the-scenes look at the Garda Traffic Corps.

Traffic Blues is set to shock viewers when the harsh reality of just how dangerous some drivers are on our roads. The six-part RTE series was shot over the course of six months and shines a light into the life of the Traffic Corps at all levels.

TV cameras will focus on the Garda Traffic Corps' activities across the country, narrowing in on three divisions primarily.

Over the course of the six months, the gardai from the three units were accompanied by the film crew as they went about their daily business.

A representative for Montrose revealed that people tuning in will be shocked by the attitudes and behaviour of a number of Irish drivers.

The series will debut on Sunday, May 31 at 8.30pm on RTE One.

lnolan@herald.ie

challengemaster

Traffic Blues RTÉ One, Sunday, 8.30pm

"People are killed on the roads every day. In the first five months of 2009 alone, 100 lives were lost. From speeding, traffic jams, drunk driving, penalty points, fatigue at the wheel, the grind of the daily commute to mobile phone use at the wheel, the potential for danger on our roads is more stark than ever."

Penalty points. You can die from them.

Gregor Samsa

challengemaster wrote: »

Penalty points. You can die from them.

You missed the full stop.

Beta Ray Bill

I won't be watching this.

I know it will just agitate me.

Big Nasty

I wonder how it will match up to Traffic Cops USA / Car Wars!

Saab Ed

Well we wont be able to sell it to another country thats for sure....Nobody will understand what a VEH-HA-KALL is:D

bookerboy

Are we going to have television cameras hiding in ditches and behind bus shelters on perfectly safe roads aswell?

McSpud

I wonder will they show the motorcycle gardai or just guys in cars. 8.30pm would be too early to show the motorcycle guys.

run_Forrest_run

I may watch this out of interest but I was surprised to see that it wasn't on TV3 given the type of sensationalist show it appears to be.
What will it really achieve? Will those who drive while talking on mobile phones stop, No? Will those who speed stop?, No! etc...

JimmyCrackCorn!

traffic jams kill two:D


In my day crimwatch used to show pictures of stolen trailers :eek::eek:

Tipsy Mac

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

What will it really achieve? Will those who drive while talking on mobile phones stop, No? Will those who speed stop?, No! etc...

They have to do this to catch those breaking the law ;-)

Gran Hermano

JimmyCrackCorn! wrote: »

traffic jams kill two:D


In my day crimwatch used to show pictures of stolen trailers :eek::eek:

And I remember Garda Patrol once had a missing donkey feature.

Anan1

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

What will it really achieve?

Well it'll reduce some people's respect for the Gardai, for starters. We pay the Gardai to enforce the law, not to provide low-brow TV entertainment.

junkyard

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

They have to do this to catch those breaking the law ;-)

Plenty of others breaking the law here and nothing's being done. The day they bring in penalty points on crooked politicians, bankers and a few others i'll take back all i've ever said.:rolleyes:

Guy:Incognito

junkyard wrote: »

Plenty of others breaking the law here and nothing's being done. The day they bring in penalty points on crooked politicians, bankers and a few others i'll take back all i've ever said.:rolleyes:

Why would the Traffic corp be investingating crooked politicians and bankers?

Anan1 wrote: »

Well it'll reduce some people's respect for the Gardai, for starters. We pay the Gardai to enforce the law, not to provide low-brow TV entertainment.

I doubt they filmed and edited it themselves.


Assuming the camera crew didnt get in the way or anything I cant see the problem. Sure on Road wars the odd time the cameraman grabs a hold of a criminal.

Anan1

Stekelly wrote: »

I doubt they filmed and edited it themselves.

Assuming the camera crew didnt get in the way or anything I cant see the problem. Sure on Road wars the odd time the cameraman grabs a hold of a criminal.

I think it's fair to assume that the Gardai were not completely oblivious to the presence of a camera crew?;)

Guy:Incognito

Anan1 wrote: »

I think it's fair to assume that the Gardai were not completely oblivious to the presence of a camera crew?;)

Maybe they had hats plated on them with cameras in them?:)


I would have thought having a camera crew there would improve behaviour if anything.

Cookie_Monster

I'm sure part of the reason is to show the public that the traffic corps is actually achieving something.

Seems to be half the point of shows like this, Road Wars is a good example, they generally make sure to tell you how much trouble Joe Bloggs gets into after showing the chase accross three counties.

eringobragh

I wonder will they be given nicknames like Road Wars ie. dixie , yorkie, etc

Saab Ed

eringobragh wrote: »

I wonder will they be given nicknames like Road Wars ie. dixie , yorkie, etc

Yeah JJ and PJ :P

Gary ITR

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

What will it really achieve?

It will gain ratings for RTE therefore allow them to sell advertising at a higher price. What else does any tv show achieve?

Anan1 wrote: »

Well it'll reduce some people's respect for the Gardai, for starters. We pay the Gardai to enforce the law, not to provide low-brow TV entertainment.

Can't say I agree with that. You would be surprised at the effect these tv shows can have on some people. I myself am looking forward to seeing it

McSpud

Onkle wrote: »

It will gain ratings for RTE therefore allow them to sell advertising at a higher price. What else does any tv show achieve?

Surely this is public service broadcasting? I am sure RTE will claim that when they go for another licence fee increase.

-Chris-

The more RTE make from advertising the less pressure there is on the licence fee and the more likely RTE are to commission locally produced programming instead of just playing re-runs of american shows like Channel 6.

It can only be a good thing.

As for the show itself, I can't wait to see it. I'll reserve judgement until I see it though, it could go either way...

Atomic Pineapple

I'm not 100% percent certain but this is being done or either was the idea of multimedia students from DKIT it was announced that they had received the go ahead for it in the colleges newsletter months and months ago.

In the paper it stated that the group of students were pro safety and wanted to show the hard jobs the traffic core have, it seemed to be very pro garda and if it turns out that way it'll be very annoying.

thethedev

If its a bit like road wars it should be good!
Im suprised a program like this wasnt made here ages ago, the Uk have had Police stop, Roadwars, Car wars, Street crime, Bike cops and all that for ages so it will be good to see our own lads in action.

mle1324

Is this like the Irish Road Wars?

CharlieCroker

All I'll say is that it shows 1% of the crap that we put up with on a saturday night, then i'm glad they're showing it.
I just hope that they show some of the public order issues and drunk drivers rather than checkpoints and speedchecks.
Might then reduce a bit of the Garda-bashing that goes on here sometimes.

TheNog

CharlieCroker wrote: »

All I'll say is that it shows 1% of the crap that we put up with on a saturday night, then i'm glad they're showing it.
I just hope that they show some of the public order issues and drunk drivers rather than checkpoints and speedchecks.
Might then reduce a bit of the Garda-bashing that goes on here sometimes.

+1

hopefully it will give some sort of insight into our job. I think what people shouldnt get carried away with though is that its not all car chases etc.

Gary ITR

TheNog wrote: »

+1

hopefully it will give some sort of insight into our job. I think what people shouldnt get carried away with though is that its not all car chases etc.

There is so much more to it. Like supporting local businesses, chippers, coffee chops etc:p

TheNog

Onkle wrote: »

There is so much more to it. Like supporting local businesses, chippers, coffee chops etc:p

its called Local Knowledge

knowing where the nearest Spar/Centra/Supermacs is invaluable when you are starving!!!!

Chris Peak

I remember a few years ago an RTE news crew went around with some traffic cops to show how badly people drive in Dublin. In one 'scene' they were stopped at a T-junction and about 4 or 5 cars drove through the red light from the other direction. The reporter said something like 'look at that. Isn't it awful"? And the cop replied "I know yeah.. But, what can you do"?
Er.. try getting out your pen and noting a few details you lazy sod!

The driving standard is pretty low here (both civilian and Garda)for a number of reasons. I doubt if this program will do much to improve things.

TheNog

Back in the early to mid 90's there was a show on RTE showing Public Order incidents in Dublin mostly.

Does anyone remember that?

eringobragh

TheNog wrote: »

Back in the early to mid 90's there was a show on RTE showing Public Order incidents in Dublin mostly.

Does anyone remember that?

I briefly remember something on T na G They busted aload of young fellas in Galway with Cider :pac:

Also RTE had "Harour nights" based in Courttown (The Irish Ibiza :rolleyes:) where one garda was filmed as part of a multiple part documentary in the lives of different people in courttown . That was shocking all the Dub skangers off their face and there was fook all your man could do. Anyone remember this program?

MarkN

Hope the Corp guards in this show know a bit more about driving than the guard on Crimecall last night! We're looking for a BMW 3 series McLaren model (it was an E46 M3 actually guard).

furtzy

MarkN wrote: »

Hope the Corp guards in this show know a bit more about driving than the guard on Crimecall last night! We're looking for a BMW 3 series McLaren model (it was an E46 M3 actually guard).

Nearly fell off the chair when he said that

Tigger

http://www.rte.ie/tv/trafficblues/

sory if repost

Eoin

Threads merged.

Yakult

Should be a interesting program. I wonder will it show the asshole attitudes that most of the traffic corps have.

Rowley Birkin QC

I presume the Phoenix Park put an embargo on the camera crews getting within 50 yards of the motorbike lads.

MarkN wrote: »

Hope the Corp guards in this show know a bit more about driving than the guard on Crimecall last night! We're looking for a BMW 3 series McLaren model (it was an E46 M3 actually guard).

Yeah, that really was terrible. Even my gf spotted that it was an M3, a convertible one at that IIRC.

Gallant_JJ

Scum of the earth, the traffic corps. They dont even have the respect of their own colleagues

TheNog

Gallant_JJ wrote: »

Scum of the earth, the traffic corps. They dont even have the respect of their own colleagues

Now thats a generalisation if I ever saw one. The traffic folks I know are decent people.

eringobragh

Gallant_JJ wrote: »

Scum of the earth, the traffic corps. They dont even have the respect of their own colleagues

Tis a bit of a generalisation alright ..I've met good and bad cops , likewise I've met good and bad IT people, store clerks, mechanics, etc

I've dealt with good/bad cops first hand, give them respect & you'll get respect.
I mean by no means lick his arse but don't have an chip on your shoulder or attitude otherwise they can come down on you like a ton of bricks!!

I've gotten out of a couple of tickets by talking to the cop with a bit of respect and a cheeky smile

bigass

Gallant_JJ wrote: »

Scum of the earth, the traffic corps. They dont even have the respect of their own colleagues

I presuming you have met all 14,000 gardai in the country, with a remark like that.
It's people like you that give the gardai a bad name, obviously not every guard you meet is going to be to your liken.
Probaly at the time you made this concious decsion to paint them all with the one brush, you were possibly reciving a ticket for speeding or some other offence..

lucygoosy

Gallant_JJ wrote: »

Scum of the earth, the traffic corps. They dont even have the respect of their own colleagues

Unless you are a member yourself, I don't think you are in any position to comment. And if you are a member, I don't think coming out with comments like that, so publicly, is appropriate

stratos

bothar cogadh.

donvito99

stratos wrote: »

bothar cogadh.

, we just need the Irish nicknames now...

Seány and Páidí etc...

-Chris-

Anybody watching this? Whatcha think?

P.C.

Damm, just missed it.

And I really wanted to watch it. :mad:

Is it on next week?

-Chris-

Yup!

Big Nasty

Dang!

Missed it too!

Any good?

Berty

I just watched it and I thought it was fantastic.

Far too short. We need 1 hour.

This is one phrase I blurted out whilst watching it

"Fvck, I drive on those roads" when watching the Donegal bit with the Northern speeder/drinker/boyracer/non insured guy.