Garda **not** targetting speeding on motorways

Victor

http://www.transport.ie/viewitem.asp?id=4886&lang=ENG&loc=1078

...

For the first time, the statistics are beginning to show the number of notifications relating speeding offences in specified zones i.e. 30mph, 40mph, 50mph, 60mph and motorway.

These show that between 11th February and the 8th March of this year:

797 of the total notifications issued, related to speeding offences in the 30mph zones nationwide,

Some 1,319 penalty point notifications related to speeding offences in the 40mph zones in Dublin,

A further 752 related to speeding offences in the 50mph zones in Dublin,

Twenty seven notifications related to speeding offences in the 60mph zones nationwide,

And a further 19 related to exceeding the speed limits on motorways nationwide.

So contrary to popular opinion, there would appear to be little targetting of motorways (whatever about dual carriageways). Motorways represent somewhat over 1% of roads, but had about 0.65% of penalty points. 73% of the penalty points referred to 30 and 40mph zones.

Nuttzz

There is a big difference in going 10 mph over the limit on a motorway compared to going 10 mph in a 40 zone

mike65

In sofar as we have speed monitoring it should be concentrated on urban and suburban roads, esp near major junctions, schools hospitals etc. Motorways/dual carriageways should be bottom of the list.

Mike.

ArphaRima

Motorways are designed for high speed. Plenty of visibility, easy-cambered corners, signposted in advance, sliproads etc. Not really a problem anyway. Most days I travel it seems that most people do 60 on them anyway. Overtaking lane has the 70mph and plus people(very rarely over 80). No problem there.

In fact I have yet to see a serous crash (or its aftermath) on the M50. Most are rush hour tips at 10-15mph.

Most of our fatalities happen on the N-route 60mph roads. Most accidents I presume happen in the 30-40mph though.

Turner

Not trying to start a flame war but Its nice to see the Gardai target areas where accidents actually happen.

Queue flame war!!

Victor

Originally posted by mike65
In sofar as we have speed monitoring it should be concentrated on urban and suburban roads, esp near major junctions, schools hospitals etc. Motorways/dual carriageways should be bottom of the list.

The above figures would appear to indicate that, contrary to common perception.

seamus

Motorway speed limits fall well within most people's acceptable risk limit. I'd say (Insert random percentage close to 100 here) of people don't bother speeding on motorways, either because they don't want to, or don't need to. There is also the fear that because the speeds are so much higher that the Gardai will kill you for doing 90 on the motorway.

Of course, obviously it's more dangerous to do 50 in a 30 zone than 90 on a motorway. There's the issue of oncoming traffic, sharp corners, pedestrians and other slow-moving traffic to deal with there.

The fact that they don't target motorways doesn't serve to convince me that to some extent, a lot of speed traps aren't money generators, cos I don't believe that as many people break the speed limit on motorways. Although I am glad to see that they do keep the speed traps for where they're needed.

LFCFan

I'd love to see the complete stats for this. ie. how many points for people speeding on 40 zones that should be 60 zones and how many caught in proper 40 zones if you know what I mean.

Tom Dunne

Originally posted by seamus
Motorway speed limits fall well within most people's acceptable risk limit. I'd say (Insert random percentage close to 100 here) of people don't bother speeding on motorways, either because they don't want to, or don't need to. There is also the fear that because the speeds are so much higher that the Gardai will kill you for doing 90 on the motorway.

I would recommend a trip down the M4 motorway, Seamus. I travel it every day and the number of complete and utter maniacs on this stretch of motorway defies belief.

They are most certainly not afraid to speed. There is rarely any evidence of our illustrious "gob****e Garda" force checking speed.

Turner

Why would people want to crawl along at 70 on that road, its perfect for travelling at speed. Long straight and in excellent condition, and to my knowledge not a black spot for accidents.

Tom Dunne

Originally posted by Chief---
Why would people want to crawl along at 70 on that road

Because it's the law.

Victor

Originally posted by LFCFan
I'd love to see the complete stats for this. ie. how many points for people speeding on 40 zones that should be 60 zones and how many caught in proper 40 zones if you know what I mean.

And who determines "should"? Its muppets that decide "I should be able to travel at the speed I want" that get people killed.

LFCFan

Originally posted by Victor
And who determines "should"? Its muppets that decide "I should be able to travel at the speed I want" that get people killed.

so you're saying there is not one stretch of road that has a 40 mph limit that you think should be 60? What about the 3-4 lanes on the Naas dual carraigway that has a 40 mph limit. What about the 30 mph limit on the Ballymun road (another dual carriagway). There are loads of roads with a lower limit and it's these roads that you tend to see more and more Gatsos etc.

Victor

Originally posted by LFCFan
so you're saying there is not one stretch of road that has a 40 mph limit that you think should be 60?

None that I can think of. All to often the dual carriageways with the 40mph limits have private properties fronting onto them, regular traffic lights and so on - features that make them unsuitable for 60mph. Would you make O'Connell Street 60mph, seeing as it is a straight, wide-median dual carriageway?

The law is the law, change it if you wish, but don't break it.

LFCFan

Originally posted by Victor
None that I can think of. All to often the dual carriageways with the 40mph limits have private properties fronting onto them, regular traffic lights and so on - features that make them unsuitable for 60mph. Would you make O'Connell Street 60mph, seeing as it is a straight, wide-median dual carriageway?

The law is the law, change it if you wish, but don't break it.

If you use the private property argument then why are all country roads 60mph? Most of them have private entrances on them? Ok, so some dual carriageways can't be 60mph but 30 is rediculous. I was done doing 41mph on the Ballymun Dual Carriageway. There wasn't one sign on the damn thing to say 30mph. And what about the Naas road and the stupid 40mph limit on a stretch that has 4 lanes in places? If you seriously think that all roads are speed limited correctly you have a problem. The minister has even admitted that a lot of roads need to be reviewed and the limits adjusted when the changeover to kph is done later in the year.

padraigmyers

Originally posted by LFCFan
If you seriously think that all roads are speed limited correctly you have a problem. The minister has even admitted that a lot of roads need to be reviewed and the limits adjusted when the changeover to kph is done later in the year.

I agree. A lot of people here are of the "Its the law, so it must be right" and "I suppose you know better than the government" mindset.
Without questioning things nothing ever changes or evolves.

TUTS

We could always make our own road signs and replace them appropriately. It'd make for a bit of fun for the boy racers. Ha!.... :rolleyes: But seriously some of the speed limits around clare & the rest are a joke......

Victor

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/05/05/story146134.html

TD criticises location of speed checks
05/05/2004 - 1:00:13 PM

Progressive Democrats TD Tom Morrissey has criticised the Gardaí for using the penalty points system to collect revenue rather than reduce road accidents.

Mr Morrissey said the majority of speed checks were carried out in 40mph zones on dual carriageways and motorways, where motorists are more likely to exceed the speed limits.

He said the opposite was the case on secondary routes where most road accidents occur.

“Motorists around the country are telling me that, from their own daily experience, you can drive 60 or 70 miles-an-hour on a secondary road knowing quite well that you will never be stopped,” Mr Morrissey said.

Hmmm, I wonder how much motorway has a 40mph limit.

http://home.eircom.net/content/unison/national/3135621?view=Eircomnet

Brennan admits points problem

TRANSPORT Minister Seamus Brennan agreed in the Dail that the practice of gardai "hiding behind bus shelters" to catch easy targets for penalty points, was not the most effective way to deal with speeding offences.

Sinn Fein deputy Sean Crowe had said many Garda checkpoints were in areas where there was no danger.

http://home.eircom.net/content/irelandcom/breaking/3138273?view=Eircomnet

McDowell 'committed' to increasing Garda numbers
From:ireland.com
Wednesday, 5th May, 2004

The Government has not abandoned its commitment to increase the numbers of Gardai by 2,000, the Minister for Justice has insisted.

Mr McDowell told the Dáil the Garda college at Templemore was not currently equipped to deal with the increase in numbers that would be required in order to bring the force up to a strength of 13,800 by 2007.

His department had discussed the issue, but a "different economic situation" had developed in the summer of 2002 which meant that other issues had to take priority, he said.

Mr McDowell agreed the EU presidency had resulted in Garda resources being diverted from other areas, but he did not see how it would ever have been possible for this not to happen.

The minister said the Garda budget this year was €1.054 billion, some 9.5 per cent more than last year. This was a "significant increase" in resources at any time, but was especially significant when careful control had to be exercised over public spending. Some €7.5 million extra had been allocated for Garda overtime this year.

The order of increase in public spending in other areas had been held to around 6 per cent, the minister said.

Questioned by Fine Gael's Mr Jim O'Keeffe, the minister admitted the 520 gardai involved in traffic duties around the State was not enough. He said more were needed to be assigned to traffic duties and agreed with Mr O'Keeffe that it was a "matter of life and death". Not to have enough gardaí is a matter of very serious consequences, Mr McDowell said.

Deputy O'Keeffe had expressed concern about statements by the chairman of the National Safety Council that the diversion of Garda resources for the EU presidency had resulted in an increase in road deaths.