Big garda clampdown over weekend?!

Captain Slow IRL

So, the media were very eager to advertise garda presence on the roads over the bank holiday weekend - I saw one on saturday shouting at a boy racer to slow down; haven't been pulled over or seen any checkpoints since friday - were they out at all?!

EDIT - been in Castlebar, Sligo and Ballina since friday.

Wertz

I dodged two checkpoints yesterday afternoon in the Dundalk area.
Don't know exactly what they're going to achieve stopping cars at 2pm of a sunday on a main urban thoroughfare...especially when they place their checkpoints where they can be avoided, via turning off.

mik_da_man

Yep - seen loads of the cops touring around cork this weekend

Sully

Tramore was covered in them. Several check points in the most unusual and usual places at random stages. Spotted them overtaking several cars (with the blues on) to monitor a van for a few mins before pulling it over.

Waterford City - nothing. Some idiot drive nearly caused me to crash by ignoring the traffic lights and the 5 guards standing around just ignored the breaks being applied and my horn going full blast for a few seconds while the other car skidded around the bend and tore of a speed.

Wexford - nothing at all.

Sundy

Ive done over 1000km this weekend. The count is 1 check point and two speed traps. Not that much considering the distance i guess

Rowley Birkin QC

Saw a guy pulled in on the Cork side of Abbeyleix on Friday by one of those unmarked 3 Series, guard lookee delighted with himself!

E92

I was reliably informed recently by someone that the Guards have targets to meet in terms of how many speeders the catch on our roads. Tells you all you need to know. I drove over 300 miles yesterday and no I did not see any sign of a Garda at all.

Has anyone noticed that in the last few bank holiday weekends that we have had only 1 death at most compared to the usual 5 or 6, and that nobody in the RSA or the Guards has mentioned it?

Sandwich

Stopped and asked for my licence on Friday. Didnt even glance at tax or insurance discs.
Were they really checking licences or was it just to suss out possible inebriation?

AugustusMaximus

Pulled into a petrol station on sunday morning and there was an unmarked Mondeo squad car. Anyways, they pulled over to the side and kept watching me as I filled up.

The second I pulled out they started to tail me for about 4 or 5 miles. After that they overtook me doing about 80kph in a 50kph and left me be.

E92. This government, the RSA, the Irish media like to scaremonger regarding road death statistics and such. We never hear the end of road deaths when they happen, ye never hear about the FACTS or falling road death totals overall.

I'm guessing we are prob doing better than last year, eventhough there are again more cars on the road this year ?


Sandwich: The usual routine is to tell you to the pull over and to "have a chat". Where are you going ? Where have you come from ? What are you up to ? Reason for journey ? etc etc.

Profiler

I suspect that as people start to head home after being away then we might see a few more speed checks.

mr_angry

I've been stopped 3 or 4 times in the past couple of weeks now between Dubin and Dundalk. Not that I mind... its nice to see the Gardai taking an interest in road safety from time to time.

rebel.ranter

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

Sandwich: The usual routine is to tell you to the pull over and to "have a chat". Where are you going ? Where have you come from ? What are you up to ? Reason for journey ? etc etc.

I believe that they are legally only allowed to ask you name & address, you do not have to answer where you're going to/from. Mind you if yu were anyway cocky I'd imagine they would make you jump through all the other hoops.

Another interesting one is that they are allowed to hold your insurance cert without permission but you do not have to give them your license, you only have to "show" them your license. A riend of mine has recently "passed out" of Templemore informed me of these obscure facts.

daithismith

I saw the white van with the speed camara in the back on the M1 northbound just after the M50 exit on Thursday and Friday morning. Hadn't seen it there in a while.

Captain Slow IRL

E92 wrote: »

Has anyone noticed that in the last few bank holiday weekends that we have had only 1 death at most compared to the usual 5 or 6, and that nobody in the RSA or the Guards has mentioned it?

The may bank holiday last year resulted in something like 13 deaths - that's why the emphasis was on it this year.

the_syco

Wertz wrote: »

I dodged two checkpoints yesterday afternoon in the Dundalk area.
Don't know exactly what they're going to achieve stopping cars at 2pm of a sunday on a main urban thoroughfare...especially when they place their checkpoints where they can be avoided, via turning off.

Sounds to me like they have f**k all people to do the job, so they're trying to do a "high visablity" job, eveyone see's them, they say they've done their job, and if they get less crashes this year compared to last, they claim it as a sucess to the media.

JamesM

6pm yesterday- camera (or radar) at the very important, life saving position, behind the bus shelter at Spawell.

AugustusMaximus

the_syco wrote: »

Sounds to me like they have f**k all people to do the job, so they're trying to do a "high visablity" job, eveyone see's them, they say they've done their job, and if they get less crashes this year compared to last, they claim it as a sucess to the media.

When road deaths go down, the Gov, the RSA and the Gardai like to congratulate themselves.

What road deaths go up, the ordinary road users are ALWAYS to blame.

Irishpimpdude

Garda all over my parts dublin 11

Cionád

Over the weekend seen two speed checks in Leixlip, and (i think) a gatso in Maynooth. - Not sure if it was a gatso but it was parked up on the path, under a bridge and didn't seem to have any other reason for being there.

skyhighflyer

Noticed radar checks on both N7 inbound and outbound between Kill/Rathcoole. Would wonder about the necessity on a six-lane road in perfect weather

corcaigh07

if something like 9/11 happened again, i wouldnt be surprised if RTE would run the usual Gardai out in force rubbish first! its brutal scare monagering, my parents went from west cork to castlebar and back during the last bank holiday, not one checkpoint or speed check.

skibum

Checkpoint near the Graduate pub, fiat punto being loaded on to a recovery truck and it was looking like the driver of an old merc was going to get the same treatment.

Sandwich

the_syco wrote: »

Sounds to me like they have f**k all people to do the job, so they're trying to do a "high visablity" job, eveyone see's them, they say they've done their job, and if they get less crashes this year compared to last, they claim it as a sucess to the media.

Which it would be.

*Tripper*

I have seen alot of fuzz around this weekend, one speed check. Baxtards.

corcaigh07

the fact that a garda has to catch a certain quota is defeating the purpose in the first place.

"When road deaths go down, the Gov, the RSA and the Gardai like to congratulate themselves.
What road deaths go up, the ordinary road users are ALWAYS to blame."

yep, its a disgrace, other law authorites would look at themselves and said "how can we do better" here its pass the blame or take the credit and no inbetween. also, i hate the way the fact weather conditions over a year are never factored in a report about less/more road deaths. in ireland, we can get year-spikes in bad weather but it never shows in a RSA report.

bitemybanger

Drove from Navan to the National stud farm in Kildare today, not one checkpoint or speed camera/gatso van along the way

E92

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

E92. This government, the RSA, the Irish media like to scaremonger regarding road death statistics and such. We never hear the end of road deaths when they happen, ye never hear about the FACTS or falling road death totals overall.

I'm guessing we are prob doing better than last year, eventhough there are again more cars on the road this year ?

I know all of that, but I'm glad I haven't deluded myself into thinking that I'm the only person that knows the way they carry on:D!

Of course I did my bit to try and change all this nonsense last May but the plain people of Ireland(well over 980,000 of them) decided to put these incompetent people back in for 3 times in a row who wouldn't know what the words principle, backbone or original policies were if a 40 foot pole hit them with it for half an hour so we only have ourselves to blame, we bitch and moan about our useless Government(which they are and always have been since 1997) and then put them back in at every possible opportunity in a General Election:rolleyes::(!

cianclarke

400km this weekend and nothing.
Saw one this evening on Leinster Road, but it was gone when I passed back again 10 mins later!!

D_murph

i did a fair bit of driving on all 3 days of this weekend and i saw nothing here either .

having said that there has been a lot of speedtraps here in the last month or so. most of them on that "death trap" of a Ballincollig bypass :rolleyes: but nothing on the "safe" back roads as usual.

DavidKay

the_syco wrote: »

Sounds to me like they have f**k all people to do the job, so they're trying to do a "high visablity" job, eveyone see's them, they say they've done their job, and if they get less crashes this year compared to last, they claim it as a sucess to the media.

And just how can less crashes than last year not be a success!!!! however achieved.

tech

did about 500kms over the weekend and NO check point/ speed trap sighted ............

Volvoboy

Yep went through 2 check points nothing said, except ''I suppose ya haddnt had a drink then?''
''No''

''on your way''



-VB-

newmills

Think i was caught speeding after coming out of the port tunnel and heading towards the point. Was doing about 60kms an hour in a 50. Wonder how many deaths or serious injuries have been recorded on that dangerous stretch of road. Didn't see too many on the back roads on sat night or parked in pub car parks neither. Shooting fish in a barell springs to mind!!

E92

D_murph wrote: »

i did a fair bit of driving on all 3 days of this weekend and i saw nothing here either .

having said that there has been a lot of speedtraps here in the last month or so. most of them on that "death trap" of a Ballincollig bypass :rolleyes: but nothing on the "safe" back roads as usual.

Worst of all is the fact that the Ballincollig bypass, like all Dual Carriageways in this country built to Motorway standard has a design speed of no less than 160 km/h(or 100 mph). So why can't we go at 160 km/h on it then?

D_murph

E92 wrote: »

Worst of all is the fact that the Ballincollig bypass, like all Dual Carriageways in this country built to Motorway standard has a design speed of no less than 160 km/h(or 100 mph). So why can't we go at 160 km/h on it then?

i think we all know why that is . if the limit was proper, there would be no money made off it :rolleyes:. its disgustion to see how heavily they police this lovely safe road while ignoring places where accidents actually happen though :mad:. im surprised lately if i dont actually see them there TBH.

The Real B-man

Speed Trap on Gorey Bypass other than that havent seen any all weekend!

DonJose

E92 wrote: »

Worst of all is the fact that the Ballincollig bypass, like all Dual Carriageways in this country built to Motorway standard has a design speed of no less than 160 km/h(or 100 mph). So why can't we go at 160 km/h on it then?

Thats because if the speed limit was 160 km/h you would get muppets exceeding that speed limit.

*Tripper*

newmills wrote: »

Think i was caught speeding after coming out of the port tunnel and heading towards the point. Was doing about 60kms an hour in a 50. Wonder how many deaths or serious injuries have been recorded on that dangerous stretch of road. Didn't see too many on the back roads on sat night or parked in pub car parks neither. Shooting fish in a barell springs to mind!!

I'd say you were unfortunatley, hopefully not of course! The Guards are always there.

junkyard

Travelled about 800 miles this weekend and not a single checkpoint anywhere, a few Garda cars here and there but no checkpoints. Why is it that they ask you where your going to or coming from? If your on your way to rob a bank your hardly going to tell them.:rolleyes:

bigpinkelephant

Cionád wrote: »

Over the weekend seen two speed checks in Leixlip, and (i think) a gatso in Maynooth. - Not sure if it was a gatso but it was parked up on the path, under a bridge and didn't seem to have any other reason for being there.

Hi, what day/time and where were these? Was driving in Leixlip and Maynooth all weekend but never saw them

Sully

junkyard wrote: »

Why is it that they ask you where your going to or coming from? If your on your way to rob a bank your hardly going to tell them.:rolleyes:

They can tell a lot from a response. You can lie through your teeth but they can notice signs of a lie depending on how you respond. Not everyone can tell a lie without giving an indication that they may be fibbing. Plus, if anything happens in the town or area they have a fair idea of who passed through, if they found any suspicous or watever.

They keep you talking to see if you have been drinking (can smell it, or notice if your speach is slurred etc). Sometimes the question answered will do.

Guy:Incognito

D_murph wrote: »

having said that there has been a lot of speedtraps here in the last month or so. most of them on that "death trap" of a Ballincollig bypass :rolleyes: but nothing on the "safe" back roads as usual.

Yes, windy backroads are the ideal place to put speedtraps. Nothng like coming round a blind bend to be faced with a gard with a camera 20 feet away. No way that could end badly.

cyrusdvirus

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

Hi, what day/time and where were these? Was driving in Leixlip and Maynooth all weekend but never saw them

Saturday night they were outside Confey Church doing a Tax, Insurance and have you been drinking check.
Monday Afternoon, outside San Carlo school catching people coming up the Captains Hill..

Thank you Mr/Mrs Ceilica driver who pulled into Avondale causing me to slow down belof the limit btw

cabrwab

Yeah i saw them on highly dangourous "straight" sections of road, but no more them a normal weekend, N7, N9 (before carlow fine wide section of a road, think around Moone not 100%). Didn't see drink driving checkpoints but thats cause i was drinking so walking but they were there to turf us out of the pub at 12 on sunday night!

craichoe

E92 wrote: »

Worst of all is the fact that the Ballincollig bypass, like all Dual Carriageways in this country built to Motorway standard has a design speed of no less than 160 km/h(or 100 mph). So why can't we go at 160 km/h on it then?

Where did you get that information from ? Its not up to motorway standard, it has too many exits too close together.

pyramuid man

Saw none and that is over 1100 miles.
Up to bushmills on Thursday from Tipperary, Down to Belfast, From Belfast to offaly, offaly to tipperary, tipperary to clonmel two or three times and Tipp to Limerick and back again. Saw none

the_syco

E92 wrote: »

Has anyone noticed that in the last few bank holiday weekends that we have had only 1 death at most compared to the usual 5 or 6, and that nobody in the RSA or the Guards has mentioned it?

Never got these stats. "Yes, Jimmy got killed. Got killed last year as well. This is the 2nd year in a row"... Since new people get killed, I wonder how you can say that "less people" are getting killed, if the people who got killed last year, are, well, dead? If you play Mario Kart, you can say you are improving, as you get a better time each lap, but by these stats, the government is improving the time by having a totally different person try the lap each time, and patting themselves on the back for it...

rebel.ranter wrote: »

I believe that they are legally only allowed to ask you name & address, you do not have to answer where you're going to/from.

Hmmm... not saying where you're coming from? House party? Pub? Let's get out of the car there please, sonny.

bottletops

I saw a garda doing a speed check on people LEAVING Toomevarra on Sunday.

I rang Nenagh Garga Station and asked why they are clocking people leaving the villiage and not targeting people entering the villiage? Surely that would do more for Safety?? He just grunted and said they could do as they like.

Cionád

bigpinkelephant wrote: »

Hi, what day/time and where were these? Was driving in Leixlip and Maynooth all weekend but never saw them

There was a handheld check with Garda on motorbike on Friday evening outside Rockingham estate(facing towards Louisa Bridge). Another check(car) outside the school in Confey, was either Friday or Saturday. - not sure on exact times.

The Gatso was parked under the footbridge at NUI Maynooth on Sunday around midday, facing Kilcock (where the limit goes from 80-60-50 in sucession).

D_murph

Stekelly wrote: »

Yes, windy backroads are the ideal place to put speedtraps. Nothng like coming round a blind bend to be faced with a gard with a camera 20 feet away. No way that could end badly.

theres no need to put a camera on a windy backroad anyway as it will most likely catch no one. the speed limits on a lot of them exceed the limit on some good former main roads that have recently been bypassed or some 60kph stretches of "dangerous" dual carriageway :rolleyes: which can yield the speeding ticket quotas far faster anyway so why bother?

80kmh on a windy back road is "not a target" sure, but its still to much for the road as far as being a natural limit goes but 60kmh on a dual carriageway? if you were so hapless that you had to actually crawl like that on one, you should not even be on the road.

its always the same old arguments regarding the placement of speed limits on here but in real life, where are the accidents actually taking place? dual carriageways or back roads?

is drink driving being taken into account either when they happen?

Yakult

AugustusMaximus wrote: »

Sandwich: The usual routine is to tell you to the pull over and to "have a chat". Where are you going ? Where have you come from ? What are you up to ? Reason for journey ? etc etc.

Me and my mate ran into a checkpoint at 1:30am after a gig. He didnt do anything more than talk to us for nearly 10 minutes about music. He must have been bored considering no traffic what so ever lol!