Banning alerts on Google Maps about upcoming speed cameras and Garda checkpoints might save lives, Shane Coleman has argued. 

A call from the Green Party to remove the alerts has been backed by both the Irish Road Victims’ Association and PARC Road Safety Group. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Shane Coleman said he is “inclined to agree with them”. 

“I know there is an argument that says sometimes they set up speed cameras and they want people to know they’re there because they want people to slow down,” he said. 

“I actually think this is a bad thing; I know we’re going to get the texts now, ‘They’re only shooting fish in a barrel, it’s a money raising thing,’ - it’s not. 

“It’s about road safety and we all drive way too fast in this country.” 

A member of An Garda Siochana places flowers given by the public near the scene of a crash. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Last year, 174 people died on Irish roads - a figure only slightly lower than the 184 who were killed in 2023. 

When he took over as Taoiseach, Simon Harris described road safety as a “priority” and promised to “act urgently to reverse this worrying trend”. 

“I think anything that hampers road safety and protects lives - because we know hundreds of people lose their lives on the roads every year - anything that hampers that, I think, should be stopped,” Shane said. 

“I don’t want to be all po-faced about it but I don’t like that idea of flashing people to let you know there’s speed cameras and stuff. 

“Just slow down and do the speed limit.” 

Gardaí at the scene of a crash. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Ciara said she understood the point road safety campaigners were making but said she wondered whether removing the feature from Google Maps would make a difference. 

“I don’t know how you would stop doing this,” she said. 

“If Google doesn’t provide this, people will use a different app because the technology is very simple.” 

In a statement to Newstalk, a spokesperson said the feature is designed to enhance road safety. 

“Safety is a top priority for Google and our features comply with local laws,” they said.

"By informing drivers about police presence and speed, we aim to help them make safer decisions on the road."

Main image: Shane Coleman in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk.