| Garda Siochana will increase over 1,000 safety camera locations nationwide from midnight. Since 2010, An Garda Síochána has introduced Speeding Cameras by using a service provider ‘GoSafe’ to operate them on its behalf. Speeding cameras are mostly operating in areas where there is a history of speed related collisions: (known as speed enforcement zones). Regardless of what we think of the speeding cameras, they have reduced the number of fatal collisions in these zones from approximately 31% 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.
An Garda Síochána recently initiated an updated collision analysis of the road network based on the most recent collision statistics post four years of operation of the Garda mobile safety cameras. Each type of collision (fatal, serious, and minor) was assigned a weighted value. A fatal collision was given a value of 10, a serious collision a value of 5 and a minor collision a value of 1. A new zone must have a minimum weighted value of 10. Also, a new zone has an approximate maximum length of 10 Kilometres. As a result of this comprehensive analysis, 355 new zones were identified:- • 7% were on local roads, • 54% on regional roads, • 32% on national roads • 7% on were motorways • 49 zones were identified for removal due to zero collisions in past 5 years.
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.” The objective is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The aim of “Slow Down” is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive and inappropriate speed. So we have to watch our speed as if you have exceeded the speed limit it will add 3 points for 3 years on your driving licence & incur a €80 fine. Remember, as a learner permit holder, and as a novice driver you have a total of 9 points only. Thank you for reading our blog Castletown School of Motoring Francis |
