New static speed camera to be erected on N17 near Claremorris
New static speed cameras will be erected at nine different locations.
A new static speed camera will be in operation by the end of the year on the N17, northeast of Claremorris, in a bid to cut down on the number of deaths on our roads.
This is just one of nine locations announced by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris today with international experience showing that static speed cameras lead to drivers reducing speed which is a significant contributor to road deaths.
Overall the cameras will be located on the N59 (Galway), N25 (Waterford), R772 (Wicklow), N14 (Donegal), N80 (Carlow), Dublin (Dolphin’s Barn), N17 (Mayo), N22 (Cork), and N69 (Limerick).
The locations were selected based on fatal and serious injury collision data from the last seven years and speed data, as well as feedback from stakeholders.
The nine static speed cameras are being funded from the Garda budget at a cost of approximately €2.4 million over the next 18 months.
There are also 55 safety cameras currently operated via GoSafe vans; this will increase to 58 in the coming weeks.
As with GoSafe vans, drivers detected by static speed cameras breaking the speed limit on that road will be automatically issued a fixed charge penalty notice.
In addition, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has requested that Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing develop a business case for the introduction of a further 100 static speed cameras.
This business case will then form part of An Garda Síochána’s application for its overall funding in 2025 as part of the Estimates Process.
Speaking today, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman, said, "Static speed safety cameras have been proven in other countries to be highly effective in changing driver behaviour and reducing speed, which is a key contributor to road deaths. Speed cameras slow drivers down. The lower speeds people drive at, the lower the number of road deaths.”
Recent investment into road safety includes a mobility device that every front-line Garda has that enables 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.
Following additional Government funding for Go Safe hours in 2023, An Garda Síochána has committed €5.1 million to increase the hours of operation of GoSafe detection vans, with a focus on locations with high levels of collisions for the next 18 months from May 2024 to October 2025.
Commissioner Harris has also recently introduced an initiative where every front-line Garda carries out 30 minutes of roads policing activity per shift.
