Gardai 'lost for words' after witnessing drivers filming crash on the M1

Clogherhead Gardai and Dundalk and Drogheda RPU attended a collision on the morning of May 7 involving a HGV where two lanes of the M1 were blocked for a period of time.

Gardaí described their shock at what then unfolded.

“Unbelievably while dealing with this complicated scene gardaí witnessed three motorists driving past while recording the scene with their phones,” they stated.

All three were stopped and issued fixed penalty notices including the driver of the van in the image above.

“Gardaí and other emergency services have a job to do and we expect the public to drive appropriately at or near a scene (which most people do),” gardaí continued.

"Using your phone increases the risk of another accident taking place potentially injuring or possibly causing a fatality at a collision.

“Not only that it is completely disrespectful to anyone involved in the collision.

"You have to ask yourself would you like a photo/video of you being uploaded onto social media if something like this happened to you?” gardaí concluded.

Social media users offered up some strong opinions on events.

"Unbelievable. As I’ve always said anyone caught using a mobile phone whether texting / calling or video recording should have a fixed fine and three month ban from driving, this is without doubt the only way to stop this ongoing problem. Its harsh but it would make people think twice,” wrote one.

"What's wrong with these people, they are just so nosey,” wrote another.

"Well done. It’s disgusting on a daily basis when out walking seeing folk text while driving.”

"Head down in phone, sadly too much of it going on, and more accidents am sure,” wrote another.