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MINISTER FOR JUSTICE Helen McEntee has called for increased use of average speed cameras.
McEntee said that investment in mobile speed-camera “GoSafe” vans had doubled across the country but that average-speed cameras need to be “looked at more”.
The minister signalled that increasing the use of average-speed cameras could lead to a reduction in the road policing unit and said she believed the technology should be a daily feature in a driver’s journey.
Speaking to reporters at a garda presentation tent at the National Ploughing Championships, she said the road safety measure had been successful in jurisdictions such as Scotland.
“They use average speed cameras much more. They have less of a road policing unit, they use technology in a different way and I think it’s something we need to look at.”
Ireland currently has average-speed cameras on the M7 motorway and the Dublin Port Tunnel. She said there had been a high level of compliance with speed limits on these routes.
McEntee said: “So, if you were to apply that to certain stretches of roads that we know are really dangerous, that are black spots, I really think it would make a difference.
“Whether it’s fixed cameras, average speed cameras, GoSafe vans, we need to use technology to work to reverse some of these trends.”
The speed limit of 30 km/h will apply to all urban centres, residential roads, and anywhere with a lot of pedestrians or cyclists. In practice, this will include many parts of Dublin as well as town and city centres across the country.
There would be exceptions for national, regional, arterial, and key public transport routes, where it’s recommended the speed limit will be 50 km/h.
Certain ‘transitional’ routes would have limits of 60 km/h, while higher limits will still apply on motorways, some dual carriageways and other main routes.
In rural areas, the report says default speed limits should remain as they currently are on most rural roads – but drop to 80 km/h on national secondary roads, where the limit is currently 100 km/h.
On local roads, the limit would drop from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on many routes.
Additional reporting from Christina Finn, Jane Matthews and Christine Bohan.
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I was driving on a long straight 50 km/h road last Sunday, there were no other cars behind me so I slowed to 30 km/h and drove along for a few minutes. It actually felt kinda surreal. I tried to imagine driving all over Dublin at this speed. It’s absolutely nonsensical and is not the answer to saving lives.
@Regular John: Sometimes it’s even more difficult to drive at 30kph. Changing down gears,clutching,breaking and trying not to break the ‘speed limit’. The most important lesson that should be taught is Drive carefully,Drive safely,Respect all other road users. Awareness is more important than ignorance
@Larry Betts: what you have mentioned there is pretty simple car control so if you can’t manage the basic then maybe you probably shouldn’t be driving!
@Fiona Wyse: If you think slowing down from 80 kmh to 30 kmh and trying to drive that slowly is good for your car engine is easy,you are the mistaken one. The revs are overworked,foot on the clutch constantly wears it out,you’re constantly in fear of the engine cutting out if the car in front suddenly stops to let a passenger out to buy a loaf of bread.
@another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: That’s been mentioned a few times recently on these topics of road safety. I hadn’t taken much notice,but in the last week,I’ve seen 3 or 4 people with phones up to their ears driving,or driving while looking down presumably at their phones,eyes not on the road at all.
@Fiona Wyse: Perhaps you don’t understand the basics of RPM and what is required at that speed to prevent the car from stalling… Larry is spot on. Most of us would be driving in 2nd gear to maintain that speed in a mid sized car which inevitaly leads to much higher emmisions output so is ultimately counterproductive in every sense.
@G Bot: Exactly. Even at 50kmh I find myself driving in 4th gear not 5th. Bad for fuel efficiency,engine overworked. I find it acceptable enough driving through villages at that speed though if the road signs advise it,what I hate is clowns coming up on my tail end pressing me to go faster,and threatening to overtake and sometimes actually doing so because I am observing the speed limit
@Larry Betts: I think we can both agree that the city centre and certain built up areas a speed of 30kph is acceptable. If we’re balancing emmisions targets with saving lives 30kph is not the answer
@Someone Financing The Welfare Leeches:
Incorrect on both counts I’m afraid ducky, I’ve driven all over Europe and driving below 30 in Dublin 90% of the time is nonsense.
@Fiona Wyse: I live near Brussels which has this crazy speed limit it’s a nightmare in my diesel car 2nd gear makes for a jerky ride and 3rd gear means I’m probably spewing out toxic gas while doing just over idle speed. Bring in these limits when we all have electric cars and no gears.
@G Bot: lower speed in a petrol diesel means higher revs for the engine. Which means more pollution. Obviously a lot of people commenting on this don’t have any basic physics knowledge.
@Corey Dalton: I think a few people have made that point including myself. One or two probably not, the whole issue is having to drive in 2nd gear as opposed to 3rd or 4th which is likely for most cars at 30kmph
@G Bot: I’m just amused reading these comments I drive a 1.8 turbo petrol. Absolutely no issues slowing down and coming to slower moving traffic, prime example of this being the Naas Road last Friday coming northbound. We need a whole new topic though to address the fact that people don’t understand how to use their hazard lights to warn people behind of slow traffic ahead. I live in a town so we drive regularly at a slower speed limit and as well 20K speed limit in the estate it’s not a problem.
Were the speed cameras since day one not meant to be in accident black spots or dangerous roads? And suddenly they turned up on the safest stretches of roads all over the country!! Now Helen wants to put more speed vans to be where the other ones should have been in the first place ahhh jayus ……
@Paul Gorry:
I’ve been saying that for years, the van placement has always been about generating income. The UK put their vans at known accident black spots and warn drivers very clearly beforehand. Here we put them on the safest roads and hide them behind bushes.
I got caught doing 62 in a 50 last year. The difference between the 2 speeds is barely perceptible to a driver who is watching the road ahead. 3 points on my licence and my children’s inheritance reduced by €160. I’m driving 35 years, all over the world, accident free.
@Regular John: 100% agree it’s actually disgusting the way its done. Ok sure most will take the hit on the fine but them penalty points being added that will undoubtedly affect you going forward ( no pun intended) are a flucking pain for the scenario you got done for..
@Regular John: agree over here they are in spots to generate revenue but I wouldn’t be praising the way the UK do it either, they’re just as sneaky as gosafe and they’ve fixed gatzos every 100meters on some roads, it’s ridiculous over there
@TheDosGuy: Yes, I know they’re doing a bit of that alright but I just like the way they proactively get people to slow down where accidents have happened before. I’ve never seen any of that here.
@David Connell: now your talking.. council’s are not topping roads and haven’t been for years, its causing crashes and deaths.. but eh.. let’s blame spending at 50kph
McEntee calls for funds to be made available to get the Luas Northside and The Metro up andrunning. ..to actually give drivers options…instead of just making life harder. Not all can cycle or use public transport. Oh sorry that was a dream.
I don’t see an issue with average speed cameras at accident black spots but they’re more likely to put them on roads with ridiculously low limits which will be most roads by the time she’s done with this knee jerk insanity.
This plan for lowering speed limits has to be the biggest joke from FFG and that’s really saying something. For some politicians it’s merely a way to look like they are doing something and for others it’s a handy revenue stream to pay for all the gravy. We need to speak up now and protest this idiotic plan before it gains traction otherwise don’t be complaining when you get a speeding fine of E100, 3 penalty points and higher insurance premiums for doing 34km (21mph) in a 30 zone. 30kph is 18mph ffs, what is the point of roads and cars and all that investment to end up farting along. You can ignore your mirrors, your indicators, forget you are in charge of a tonne of metal and watch TV on your phone but you can’t go over 20 miles per hour! Absolutely pathetic from the government.
@Paddy Short:
Fully agree. I’ve said before you could drive the M50 in reverse as long as you don’t break the speed limits. The fine is 160 now by the way, I found out the hard way last year.
@Darren Gorman:
I drove on tacho’s as a young fella years ago. They used to say take it out and swallow it if you were ever stopped ! I think they are all electronic now.
@Regular John: Great app for driving is Waze. Journal have blocked this comment 6 times already,this will be the 7th if it doesn’t get through. Check it out.
@Larry Betts:
I’ve heard of it alright but never used it, I will check it out. I’m an Android Auto / Googley maps man at the moment.
I wonder why that comment is getting blocked, I’ve heard you say a lot worse ;)
@Regular John: Reply has been blocked again. Journal obviously more interested in silly clickbait articles than serious debate. Goodnight John,chat again
Just wait till these clowns come looking for votes in the next election. They don’t have a useful policy between any of them. The answer is simple enforcement of the current laws and simply pull in drivers that can’t drive and make them retrain and re test . The standard of driving in this country is a joke. If I was to look back over my dash cam footage for one week and show the ridiculously bad driving I see everyday you could make a whole prime time special on it.
@Nora Cummins: It’s not only the drivers of cars. Pedestrians and cyclists, especially in towns and cities are acting ridiculous as well. Just as if a red traffic light is just a broad recommendation. Like speed limits, no parking areas or other road traffic laws as well.
And as soon as someone tries to enforce the laws, people are crying loud, as if we are living in a police state.
The tunnel / let’s talk about the tunnel / a smooth controlled environment / double lane each direction / one way / modern cars are designed for maximum safety and comfortably manage these environments , how many accidents were there before the average cameras were installed , how many deaths , how much does it cost to use , how much revenue raised on the new 160 euro minimum fines for doing 89km in an 80km zone / that’s 5 miles per hour in real money btw / I paid the fine but honestly are we saving lives or are we generating revenue , because using the tunnel as an example has no evidence it’s saving lives / it’s shooting fish in a barrel and collecting revenue / not a single death recorded in that tunnel since it’s opened / need to target the road problems for sure not shoot fish
@Dave Hammond:
In fairness I can understand why they are so strict with the tunnel. The consequences of an accident or fire could be a lot worse than normal. But in regard to raising revenue from speed traps in general I’m with you 100%
@Dave Hammond: Why did you drive 89km/h when you obviously knew that it is against the law in that area?
When you are shopping, put a chocolate bar worth 2 Euros into your pocket and forget it at the till, you might get caught and receive a high fine. Would you then also blame the government for trying to create revenue out of a small breach of law?
Ah the auld minister for flying kites and the Irish Times is at it again. Let’s shoot up thst barrel of fish good and proper! Is there anything to be said for bringing in more laws to add to the laws we already have and don’t enforce? Whatever you do keep those civil servants busy not doing their core work but looking for glass hammers, taking long stands etc. pure gombeenism at its finest.
When will this useless woman get off the national stage? The proposal is only applicable to motorways or the more specialised tunnel situation. So basically the safest road infrastructure we have. Where there are virtually no lethal accidents.
Is this just part of the push to get us to go electric? Veiled in a safety measure. I am not a fan of electric vehicles and dreading the day. I also detest the way electric cars creep up on you before you know it as a pedestrian – surely this has serious health and safety issues still outstanding before its too late?
This Minister and Government are clearly out of touch, justifying the possible reduction of the Policing Unit because of additional investment in Cameras, this might be achievable if you have high numbers in the unit, but not here as the units depleted already. When will they ever get it into their heads that it’s more Garda that’s needed on the Streets and Roads. Perhaps we could invest in some new technology so as to get rid of these inept Politicians.
She must be a fan of Trudeau who has singlehandedly turned Canada from one of the most free and liberal (in the true sense of the word ) countries into basically a police state. It’s obvious this current bunch here with their gombeen men NGOs ( all mainly taxpayer funded ) are determined to do the same to us. They just can’t resist inserting themselves into people’s lives and heaping more stress and financial hardships on to us, I think the word we’re looking for is tyrants.
@Proinnsias O’Dubhlaoich: The same people who see enforcing of existing laws as creating a police state, are hitting out on politicians, as the roads are too dangerous to let kids walk or cycle to school or about unsocial behaviour in parks.
These new cameras are a state investment which will yield 10 s of millions and will be placed on all the motor ways which are fairly safe and not on our secondary roads were people are crashing, the limits are 100 km and and 80 km …
Can they not use drones to patrol the roads. I know the privately thing, but if limited to speeding, dangerous driving checks. They would cover allot more road with less effort. Eye in the sky.
@did you every wonder: I’m driving from Gorey to Clonmel tomorrow,as I do every Wednesday for a work assignment. I guarantee you,I will be faced with at least 3 or 4 absolutely atrocious driving incidents,as I have done each and every week since late May. The standard of driving in Ireland is absolutely shocking. Not by the majority of good,careful experienced drivers,but the 5% or lower who have an absolute disregard for other road users. Normally you won’t notice other driver’s behavior,but it’s those other reckless idiots that make you wonder how they are allowed on the road at all
Simply do speed limit checks like in most countries in the EU. Put the cameras into ordinary cars with no specials signs or markings on them and park them somewhere. Or use mobile speed limit cameras. Some of them are quite small and they can be put into a bush or on top of a wall.
If legislation is changed like that and on top, private companies are allowed to do speed limit checks, I’d invest into such a camera instantly and would fix it at the gate to our house. Especially when the sun comes out, it is like living at a race course here and as barely anyone adheres to the speed limit here (or in the village down the road), I’d make a fortune.
Is it possible to install average speed cameras into GoSafe speed camera vans and link the vans together as a network. This would mean then that when a car passed an average speed camera van the driver would not know where the next van is located and would therefore have to keep to the speed limit.
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