Average speed cameras to become operational on N5 from Friday
An average speed camera will become operational on the N5 from Friday. Pic: An Garda Síochána
Average speed cameras will become operational from midday on Friday on the N5.
The cameras on the N5 are located between Lislackagh and Cuilmore in Swinford, County Mayo.
Average speed cameras work by monitoring a vehicle's speed over the distance of the safety camera zone, rather than at a single point.
The cameras use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology to record the time, date, and location of each vehicle that passes through an entry and exit point.
Drivers detected exceeding the speed limit i.e. travelling from point A to point B too quickly, will be issued with a fixed charge notice which, when processed, assigns three penalty points to the driver’s licence and a fine of €160, or €240 if not paid within 28 days.
They are intended to change driver behaviour, reduce the average speed of road users and the number of collisions that occur, making roads safer for all road users and decreasing the impact of speed on local communities.
Commissioning, testing, and validation of the cameras got underway earlier this month.
From midday on Friday, vehicles detected driving in excess of the 100km/h posted speed limit will be subject to prosecution.
Speaking at Garda Headquarters, Commissioner Drew Harris said: "An Garda Síochána remains committed to road safety and average safety cameras have been shown to reduce speed and impact positively on driver behaviour. The addition of two new average safety camera locations along the N5 and N3 will add to the suite of measures already being undertaken by An Garda Síochána in the area of improving road safety.
"I’m pleased to say that we will have a further six static safety cameras live by the end of this year, with a further three static cameras coming on stream in the first quarter of 2025.”
Minister Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice said: "Every life lost on the road is a tragedy for the victim’s family, community, and for all of society. After many years of success in reducing fatalities on our roads, the recent increase in fatalities represents a serious issue for the whole country. Government is determined to reverse this. Average speed cameras are a hugely valuable and welcome addition to the measures we have already put in place, to keep everyone on our roads safe.”
