Up to six mobile safety cameras are to be introduced at level crossings on Ireland's rail network as part of efforts to deter risky behaviour by road users.
The Garda GoSafe cameras, which will initially operate in a test phase, will be used to record motorists inappropriately using the crossings.
Iarnród Éireann said the cameras are designed to be easily relocatable and will be deployed dependent on driver behaviour.
The cameras will automatically issue a fine of €160 for speeding and €80 for breaking a red light, with the motorists also liable for three penalty points.
Iarnród Éireann said it hopes the cameras will "enhance safety for rail and road users alike, including pedestrians and cyclists, by deterring risk-taking at chosen locations".
So far this year, there have been 30 incidents of level crossing misuse, up slightly on the 28 recorded during the same time last year.
Iarnród Éireann said 11 of the incidents resulted in road users being injured or crossings being damaged.
The majority of level crossing incidents involve road vehicles colliding with crossing gates or barriers, resulting in damage to the crossing/barriers.
The crossing at Serpentine Avenue in Ballsbridge in Dublin accounted for the largest number of incidents, with five recorded since the start of the year.
Sutton in Dublin had three incidents, while the other most frequent locations include Claremont, Coolmine and Sandymount in Dublin, along with Bray in Co Wicklow, which all recorded two incidents.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
Head of Corporate Communications at Iarnród Éireann, Barry Kenny, said the new cameras will mean a reduction in incidents, as has been evidenced with speed cameras on the roads.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said speed surveys were carried out in a number of areas, including one which saw 152 km/h recorded in a 50 km/h zone.
He said barriers coming down in that situation is "really serious".
"When you have situations where vehicles hit level crossings, or indeed bridges .. there's a very significant impact to our services," Mr Kenny said.
"Safety is critical in terms of protecting road users themselves, protecting other vulnerable road users like pedestrians, or cyclists that might be going to the crossings and then avoiding delays and and disruption to the rail service as well.
"So by putting this in place, it is a very strong deterrent. Where these GoSafe cameras have been on the road network separately with the gardaí before, you see 98.5% compliance."
Road users urged to "use crossings responsibly"
To coincide with International Level Crossing Awareness Day, an appeal has been issued for renewed vigilance from all road users.
As part of the campaign, Iarnród Éireann, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are today hosting information mornings at ten level crossings around the country.
The focus of the information sessions is to "inform and educate road users about the dangers of not acting safely at level crossings".
There are currently 861 level crossings, including automated CCTV crossings, manned crossings and unmanned user operated crossings.
Iarnród Éireann said it has installed additional train detection warning systems at 72 user operated level crossings, with a further seven to be commissioned in the coming months.
The operator of the national railway network said it is continuing work to "eliminate as many level crossings as practicable".
Between 2014 and June 2025, the company closed down 134 crossings, with the overall number down by over 60% since the 1990s.
However, with so many level crossings still in operation, Iarnród Éireann has issued reminders to road users of their "onus to use crossings responsibly".
At automatic crossings, the advice is to always stop safely when the warning lights begin to flash and to never go through crossings when barriers are about to lower or lowering.
At staff operated crossings, the appeal is to respect gatekeepers, whose role is to ensure the safety of road users and rail users, so the advice is so stop immediately when the gatekeeper requests it.
At user operated crossings, road users are requested to stop before crossing to check the line, check the line again after crossing, and always close the gate after use for their safety and that of others.
Across Europe, around 300 people die at level crossings across every year, accounting for 1% of road deaths on the continent but accounting for 31% of all rail fatalities.
