Waterford Councillor calls for complete ban on accident images being shared online

A Labour Councillor in Waterford has called for the complete ban on what he described as the “grotesque” practice of people sharing recordings and images of road traffic accidents online.

Cllr John Pratt, who was re-elected to Waterford City and County Council in last weekend’s local elections, commented on the matter to Waterford News & Star and said the time had arrived to “stamp out the grotesque practice” of recording and sharing road traffic accident scenes.

The Labour Party’s, ‘Protection of Accident Victims from Non-Consensual Recording of Images Bill 2022’, was drafted in response to the distressing and very concerning phenomena of images of road traffic accident victims being shared online.

The bill is due to be debated in the Dáil this week, on Thursday, June 13.

Speaking on the matter, Cllr Pratt said: “2024 has been a dark year on our roads. Too many lives have been lost and I would urge all road users to take extra care on the roads, to reduce their speed, to avoid distractions like phone use and to never, ever drink and drive.” 

Referring to statistics he said the “cold hard reality” is that there are between 150 and 200 road fatalities, and approximately 8,000 injuries due to road traffic collisions, every year.

“There is hardly a person in this country who hasn’t had either direct or indirect experience of a serious car accident resulting in death or serious injury within their family, circle of friends or community,” he said.

“Waterford is no different, unfortunately,” he added.

With regard to the practice of people sharing images online, Cllr Pratt said it’s something that is becoming “all too common”.

“The fact that family members and friends can be exposed to such harmful and grotesque images before they have even learned of the accident is unforgivable,” he said.

“It is deeply disrespectful and distressing intrusion into private grief that must be outlawed,” he added.

“It is becoming increasingly common for An Garda Síochána to issue strong requests in the immediate aftermath of a serious accident for people not to share these types of images and it must stop.” 

With regard to tomorrow’s Dáil debate, Cllr Pratt said: “This Thursday, the Labour Party will call on the Government to introduce penalties for anyone who shares these images. It’s time to stamp out this indecent and insensitive practice to protect all those left behind following the devastation of a death on the roads.”