A driver with a fake license and an outstanding warrant has been arrested by Gardaí in Cork.
The motorist was pulled over after Gardaí on patrol in their latest roads policing tool, an unmarked heavy goods vehicle.
This ‘stealth truck’ allows Gardaí to get a good view into other cars, making it easy to spot people on their mobile phones or other forms of distracted driving. You can see how it works in the video below.
The motorist caught along the M8 was initially pulled over for unsafe driving after Gardaí observed he had no hands on the wheel.
Once stopped, they handed Gardaí a driving license which turned out to be a fake. After running a few checks, the driver was found to have an outstanding arrest warrant.
The van pulled over by Gardaí on the M8
The driver was promptly taken into custody. Gardaí did not disclose the nature of the arrest warrant.
Distracted or unsafe driving will see the motorist hit with a fixed charge notice, which can turn into a fine of up to €2,000 and 5 penalty points if the driver decides not to pay the initial charge.
Fake licenses are a more serious offence as they constitute fraud. Gardaí have repeatedly warned drivers about fake licenses, and such cases are treated as serious criminal matters.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Our unmarked HGV was out on the roads in and around Cork today helping us to detect distracted driving offences.
“We first saw this van swaying between lanes on the M8 and then realised that the driver had no hands on the steering wheel.
“When stopped on the roadside, he handed us over a false driving licence.
“A quick check with our colleagues on the radio and we were informed that there was a bench warrant outstanding for the arrest of this driver.”