Drivers have a disregard to the “recklessness” of their own actions when speeding, not wearing a seatbelt or being distracted behind the wheel, the Garda Commissioner has said.
It comes as two new average speed cameras are launched in Cavan and Mayo ahead of the October bank holiday weekend.
The new speed camera will be in operation from noon on Friday on the N3 between Kilduff and Billis in Co Cavan, and on the N5 between Lislackagh and Cuilmore in Swinford.
The will work in both directions.
Average speed cameras monitor a driver’s speed while driving between two points.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris (Brian Lawless/PA)
The use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to record the details of each vehicle that passes between both points.
Anyone found to be driving in excess of the 100km/h posted speed limit will be issued a Fixed Charge Notice, which includes a 160 euro fine and three penalty points.
Drew Harris said that it is “with regret” that so much enforcement has to be used, but that “it is the reality”.
He added: “When you go behind the wheel of a car, there’s huge responsibility placed upon you, and you have to not only care for yourself, but your passengers and other road users.
“Part of that then is obviously compliance with the law. The road traffic legislation that we have in place is here for everyone’s safety, and we can see from driver behaviour that it leads then to collisions.
“We want to educate, but to then to enforce. It is with regret that we have to engage in so much enforcement and place so much effort into that. But that is just the reality.
“I think people have a disregard, maybe, to the recklessness of their own actions, at times, in terms of speed, distraction, drink, drug driving, and then just not wearing a seat belt, the simple things. It’ll save a life, save someone else’s. We have to detect those and regrettably then bring people before the courts.”
Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing & Community Engagement Paula Hilman said they have a 58 speed camera vans that can be deployed across the country.
“We know where we deploy those, it slows people down, and we want people to know where they are, because we know these are the highest risk areas,” she added.
“It really is about changing those behaviours, and that’s why, especially the average speed cameras – which cover a longer distance from one point to another, slow people down.
“We know that people, in addition to speeding, it’s the distraction driving. People being distracted sometimes, not only by mobile phones. They use a mobile phone to make a call. People are watching sport, they’re watching films, but also can be distracted by other people in the car.
“One of our key messages about watch your speed, but also focus on what you’re doing.”
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee (Brian Lawless/PA)
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: “The objective is that we save lives on our roads. We have all been really struck in the increase in road deaths over the years, and we are doing all we can to turn that around.
“We know technology works and helps and by putting speed cameras in the first two locations, we hope to reduce people’s speed on the roads and change behaviours.”