An Garda Siochana has confirmed that new average speed cameras will be fitted to national primary routes later this year.
The new cameras will be fitted to the N2, N3, and N5 national primary routes. They’re expected to be switched on in the autumn.
Multiple points
The cameras use digital photo technology to calculate the average speed of a car travelling between multiple points on each route. If that average speed is above the posted limit, expect a fine to pop through your letterbox…
The N2 travels northwest from Dublin towards Aucghnacloy on the border with Northern Ireland and is generally the road used by those travelling from the capital to Donegal. The N3 runs north-westwards towards Cavan and eventually to the the border with County Fermanagh and is also often used by those heading for Donegal.
The N5 is the main road linking Longford with Westport in Co. Mayo.
Locations to be decided
The Garda and Transport Infrastructure Ireland are currently determining the precise sites at which these cameras will be located. We are told that the number of accidents on those routes and ‘the potential for dangerous speed’ will be the deciding factors.
Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland show on Radio 1, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan cited the effectiveness of average speed cameras in reducing road deaths in Scotland. He also alluded to a review of the Road Safety Authority's operations but said that he was not seeking to blame the RSA for the recent increase in road deaths but “because it makes sense to continue to evolve and develop our institutions.”
New fixed cameras too
In addition to the new average speed cameras, the Gardai are planning to install nine new fixed speeding cameras at locations yet to be decided. This represents a return to older technology, with fixed cameras replaced by mobile speed camera vans some time ago.
Currently, average speed cameras are always in operation on a stretch of the N7 between Dublin and Kildare and the Dublin Port Tunnel, and there are reports that speeding on those stretches has been significantly reduced, although accident data for those locations has not been included.
According to a statement from the Garda Press Office, “ Garda Drew Commissioner Harris has decided that the introduction of these cameras is being funded from the Garda Vote [budget]. They are not being funded by any other State body. Such investment includes a mobility device that every front-line Garda has, enabling them to issue fixed charge notices at the roadside and check vehicle details.
“In addition, there has been investment in new hand-held speed detection devices, drug detection devices, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, and roads policing vehicles.”
The announcement of new cameras comes just days after Commissioner Harris instructed all uniformed Gardai to carry out some traffic enforcement work on each shift rather than leaving all road policing to the Garda Traffic Corps.