Following the announcement that more than 938,000 speeding tickets were issued since the introduction of speed cameras, came the news that there will be an increase to over a thousand camera locations nationwide from midnight 27th May 2016. All high risk locations available on Garda website.
Since 2010, An Garda Síochána has contributed to making our roads safer through the use of safety cameras, using a service provider ‘GoSafe’ to operate them on its behalf. They say that primary purpose of the cameras is to reduce speed related collisions, lessen injuries and save lives.
While the ‘GoSafe’ vans follow the guidelines and therefore contribute to the improved statistics, other speed vans operated by an Garda Síochána themselves’ perform what is often referred to as ‘shooting fish in a barrel’ or ‘clocking up the cash register’ by having cameras at non accident black spots but rather speed traps. There is no evidence presented to say that these actions save lives, and are regarded by motorists generally as mainly a revenue earning exercise.
Safety cameras only operate in areas where there is a history of speed related collisions, known as speed enforcement zones, using a fleet of marked vehicles. Prior to the introduction of safety cameras, approximately 31% of fatal collisions occurred in these zones. In 2015 this figure had reduced to 14%. This shows a dramatic reduction in terms of risk in these areas and a huge increase in terms of road safety. All locations are available on the Garda website.
In total, there are now 1,031 speed enforcement zones nationwide where safety cameras operate effective from midnight 27th May 2016.
Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said today:- “An Garda Síochána is delighted to announce the expansion of this vital road safety measure. The safety cameras are proven life savers and only operate in areas which have a speed related collision history where fatal, serious injury and now minor injury collisions occur. By identifying and targeting these high risk areas our aim is to continue to reduce the number and severity of collisions, thus save more lives and prevent more injuries from occurring. This makes them roads safer for every road user.”