Gatso Van, Dunboyne Road, Maynooth.

Steerpike

Just a friendly heads-up to contribute to road safety and to keep all your licences free of pointless points.

Let me just state where I am coming from: I think sneaky copper speed traps are an endangerment to other road users. Let's cite an unmarked (as they are) Gatso van as an example. Many drivers might not be aware of these, so if a driver who is aware of same brakes upon seeing one - usually on a good road with an inappropriately low speed limit - following traffic who don't recognise the threat might not similarly adjust their speed. The potential for shunting is obvious. I think speed traps should be honest, obvious and transparent. Otherwise the coppers are there to up their quotas rather than for genuine "safety" reasons. I personally, would have too much self-respect to sit in a Gatso van all day, "doing" people. But that's why I'm not a copper.

I was out for a spin to get the papers this morning, and noted a Gatso on the R157 road (Dunboyne to Maynooth). I was tucked into one of the gate recesses of Carton House, just before you reach the T-juncion of the Leixlip-Maynooth Road (at which you turn right for Tescos).

Needless to say, traffic was light, the road is straight, wide and well-surfaced, and the speed limit is 60 Km/H. I kept my speed below this figure, but believe me, it was difficult to do this, so inappropriate is the limit for the road, the time and the conditions.

And if I had been going at 80 km/H, and they zapped me, would they have made any worthwhile contribution to road safety? No.

Be careful out there.

Matt Simis

The speed limit on that road is extremely annoying. 60kph on such a wide road feels like crawling.

Saab Ed

All you need is a Polish drivers licence anyway and you're off the hook. ( with reference to the BBC article last week ) . Wish they would park at the back of my house more often to make sure some little tramp doesnt try to break in and nick my telly

PirateShampoo

I dont understand how they increase road safety when they are hidden behind walls etc.

I wouldnt speed if i knew the thing was there....


Well, not untill i pass the thing.

Dartz

It's a money spinner, that's for sure. And innapropriately low limits do nothing for road safety, in fact, they foster a building disrespect for the speed limits. Wasn't it dunLaighre Rathdown who decided to limit a three lane completed section of the M50 to 100kph?

L1011

Dartz wrote: »

It's a money spinner, that's for sure. And innapropriately low limits do nothing for road safety, in fact, they foster a building disrespect for the speed limits. Wasn't it dunLaighre Rathdown who decided to limit a three lane completed section of the M50 to 100kph?

I think that was actually a requirement of the planning to (allegedly) reduce road noise.

There are a few obvious honeypots set up around Maynooth with laughably inappropriate 60s. Thats one of them, where the far poorer roads (this secton was widened and relayed a year ago) around it at all 80km/h. The Leixlip->M4 DC is another.

Seth Brundle

With reference to the potential for rear end shunts - surely the responsibility lies with the driver and if they are too close then any hazard will increase this potential.
This reason to get rid of them doesn't wash with me anymore!

Steerpike wrote: »

I personally, would have too much self-respect to sit in a Gatso van all day, "doing" people. But that's why I'm not a copper.

So you turned down the opportunity for a secure relatively well paid job because one aspect of it (that in all likleihood you would not be doing) was against your principles? Good man! You stick to your principals mate!

Steerpike wrote: »

Needless to say, traffic was light, the road is straight, wide and well-surfaced, and the speed limit is 60 Km/H. I kept my speed below this figure, but believe me, it was difficult to do this, so inappropriate is the limit for the road, the time and the conditions.

Fair enough. Although I live near enough to there, I'm not familiar with the sopecifics of the stretch. How many entrances are along that 60km/h stretch?

Steerpike wrote: »

And if I had been going at 80 km/H, and they zapped me, would they have made any worthwhile contribution to road safety? No.

Would you have sped along there again?


I'm not a great fan of the Gatso but your arguments so far aren't that strong. I disagree with placing Gatsos on good roads in favour of placing them on back roads. When the gardai do this people still bitch. Also don't forget that they do need a straight-ish stretch to calculate ones speed!

Seth Brundle

Dartz wrote: »

It's a money spinner, that's for sure. And innapropriately low limits do nothing for road safety, in fact, they foster a building disrespect for the speed limits. Wasn't it dunLaighre Rathdown who decided to limit a three lane completed section of the M50 to 100kph?

Further to MYOB's response, National Primary routes and Motorways (despite us technically not having motorways in Ireland) are under the responsibility of the NRA!

pa990

Dartz wrote: »

Wasn't it dunLaighre Rathdown who decided to limit a three lane completed section of the M50 to 100kph?

Actually its an EU regulation.
The M50 is now classed as an Urban Motorway, thus it mus have a max speed limit of 100km

(Dont ask me for a source, as i dont have it.. someone else linked to it before and thats where i read it)

L1011

pa990 wrote: »

Actually its an EU regulation.
The M50 is now classed as an Urban Motorway, thus it mus have a max speed limit of 100km

(Dont ask me for a source, as i dont have it.. someone else linked to it before and thats where i read it)

Firstly, I don't believe there is any such EU regulation.

Secondly, the M50 SEM section has been 100km/h since opening due to a constraint of its planning permission and no other reason.

kbannon

kbannon wrote: »

Fair enough. Although I live near enough to there, I'm not familiar with the sopecifics of the stretch. How many entrances are along that 60km/h stretch?

If I understood the place correctly, there is a very hidden pedestrian crossing into the Carton house grounds there so 60 km/h is appropriate I think.

I.S.T.

Steerpike wrote: »

I was out for a spin to get the papers this morning, and noted a Gatso on the R157 road (Dunboyne to Maynooth). I was tucked into one of the gate recesses of Carton House, just before you reach the T-juncion of the Leixlip-Maynooth Road (at which you turn right for Tescos).

Needless to say, traffic was light, the road is straight, wide and well-surfaced, and the speed limit is 60 Km/H. I kept my speed below this figure, but believe me, it was difficult to do this, so inappropriate is the limit for the road, the time and the conditions.

And if I had been going at 80 km/H, and they zapped me, would they have made any worthwhile contribution to road safety? No.

Be careful out there.

Perhaps they would have been better off setting up at this location?? http://www.independent.ie/national-news/two-young-men-die-in-horror-crash-at-accident-blackspot-1658195.html

Seth Brundle

IrishSpeedTraps wrote: »

Perhaps they would have been better off setting up at this location?? http://www.independent.ie/national-news/two-young-men-die-in-horror-crash-at-accident-blackspot-1658195.html

what makes you think that they don't?

Steerpike

kbannon wrote: »

With reference to the potential for rear end shunts - surely the responsibility lies with the driver and if they are too close then any hazard will increase this potential.
This reason to get rid of them doesn't wash with me anymore!


So you turned down the opportunity for a secure relatively well paid job because one aspect of it (that in all likleihood you would not be doing) was against your principles? Good man! You stick to your principals mate!

Fair enough. Although I live near enough to there, I'm not familiar with the sopecifics of the stretch. How many entrances are along that 60km/h stretch?


Would you have sped along there again?


I'm not a great fan of the Gatso but your arguments so far aren't that strong. I disagree with placing Gatsos on good roads in favour of placing them on back roads. When the gardai do this people still bitch. Also don't forget that they do need a straight-ish stretch to calculate ones speed!

1. I can't control how close someone drives behind me, and if they have left sufficient room to stop should I brake for any reason. So my argument is good - unless you take the absolutist tack that one should not break the speed limit in the first place. As this is a motoring forum, I'd be surprised if many would agree with that stance - but things never fail to amaze me in this country.

2. I have a good job as it happens. What's more I am serious when I say I would have too much self-respect to do what they do in this instance.

3. There are no entrances on that stretch.

4. Yes, I will "speed" along there again, once the van - which I am aware of, and am pointing out to others - is not there. "Speeding" being going over 60Km/H.

Steerpike

IrishSpeedTraps wrote: »

Perhaps they would have been better off setting up at this location?? http://www.independent.ie/national-news/two-young-men-die-in-horror-crash-at-accident-blackspot-1658195.html

The 2008 EuroRAP survey identified this stretch as one of the most dangerous roads alright, IST.

Seth Brundle

Steerpike wrote: »

1. I can't control how close someone drives behind me, and if they have left sufficient room to stop should I brake for any reason. So my argument is good - unless you take the absolutist tack that one should not break the speed limit in the first place. As this is a motoring forum, I'd be surprised if many would agree with that stance - but things never fail to amaze me in this country.

Braking distance is irrelevant to the speed limit insofar as technically any driver should be able to stop within their line of vision.
Anyhow, if someone decides to tailgate then they run the risk of a rear end shunt. The cause of the driver in front braking, whether it is because of a Gatso van, a garda with a speed gun, a herd of cows or a four year old on a bike is irrelevant. Don't kid yourself into thinking that the camera causes the problem.

Steerpike wrote: »

2. I have a good job as it happens. What's more I am serious when I say I would have too much self-respect to do what they do in this instance.

My earlier point still stands!

Steerpike wrote: »

3. There are no entrances on that stretch.

But, as it was pointed out, there is a hidden pedestrian crossing there!

Steerpike wrote: »

4. Yes, I will "speed" along there again, once the van - which I am aware of, and am pointing out to others - is not there. "Speeding" being going over 60Km/H.

Fine. But don't complain then.
I speed all the time but I don't get worked up about the location of a camera when its location is far, far superior compared to sitting at the side of the M1 or whatever!

Steerpike

kbannon wrote: »

Braking distance is irrelevant to the speed limit insofar as technically any driver should be able to stop within their line of vision.
Anyhow, if someone decides to tailgate then they run the risk of a rear end shunt. The cause of the driver in front braking, whether it is because of a Gatso van, a garda with a speed gun, a herd of cows or a four year old on a bike is irrelevant. Don't kid yourself into thinking that the camera causes the problem.
My earlier point still stands!
But, as it was pointed out, there is a hidden pedestrian crossing there!
Fine. But don't complain then.
I speed all the time but I don't get worked up about the location of a camera when its location is far, far superior compared to sitting at the side of the M1 or whatever!

1. I don't need the rules of the road bit, mate - I've been driving motorbikes and cars - without incident - for 25 years now (hope I don't put the mockers on it now!).

Sorry, if someone rear ends me because I slow down for a covert camera that I am aware of - and they are not - it is scant consolation to me that they are technically in the wrong.

My point is that the covert camera poses this hazard due to the fact that it is covert, and some people may be aware of it whilst others might not. If they want people to slow down they should be out in their little yellow jackets. It would be interesting to hear other people's views on this.

2. How does it still stand? I have quite honestly said I would have too much self-respect to be a copper in honeypot locations such as this - you seem to dispute this on what I can only deduce is your perception that being a copper is somehow desirable. You're entitled to such an opinion, but it is not one I share. In fact I would not have too much time for them in general (nor would Justice Moriarty) and would err towards a more a respectable line of work (in my view), so I repeat: how does your point "still stand"?

3. There is a gateway to Carton House opposite the park. On a rare occasions I have seen people crossing or waiting to cross the road at this point. They are fully visible on the path on the right and outside the gates of Carton House when doing so. There is no official "pedestrian crossing" there, so if this constitutes a hazard, would a set of traffic lights or a marked crossing not perhaps be more appropriate than a police van with blacked out windows?

4. I am not getting worked up, and simply sent this post to inform people and hopefully prevent them getting points on their licenses. I thought it might be appreciated by some, and I hope it will.

Type 17

pa990 wrote: »

Actually its an EU regulation.
The M50 is now classed as an Urban Motorway, thus it mus have a max speed limit of 100km)

The EU do not set speed limits by the class of road - that level of stupidity is the preserve of Irish local authorities :rolleyes: - the rest of the EU probably do crazy stuff like examining each road and picking a suitable limit based on the actual conditions on that individual stretch

Omcd

The rear ending thing is all about idiot drivers who shouldn't be on the road. I nearly got rear ended this evening when I slowed down for a speed limit sign. The ould one in the Merc had been sitting two feet behind in a 100k (which I was doing) for about 3 miles then came to a 50k stretch started slowing down which she obviuosly didnt expect dispite the huge 50k sign boards and she damn nearly hit the back of the car. Every frigging evening this week coming up the N3 at 100k some gobsh/te has been sitting two feet behind - not only cars. This ould dear obviously didnt see the camera van behind the signs either - she was probably too close to see through me - why do so many people do that it so restricts their view of the road. The fact there was a camera van behind the sign was neither here nor there as I always slow down to respect that limit and didnt do anything out of the ordinary today. It wasn't a case of 'camera van! sh/t!! hit the brakes!!!'

Btw, anyone who barrelled through Rathbeggan this evening at about 6pm, start watching your post nerviously. In fact anyone who has a habit of speeding watch your post nerviously, there appears to be a blitz on with the new vans which are unmarked and parked in places where the traffic is habitually going much faster than the limit (of course). Seen this new one now three times in the last week, on the N3, N4, and N7. The government needs the money you know.

Regarding speed traps I notice, dispite what has been said here, on roads where speed traps are known to be regularly the traffic generally keeps the to limit whether or not there is a trap at any particular time, and on roads where its percieved that speed traps do not occur it seems the speed limit is completely ignored by about 95% of drivers, particularly 60k limits where the average speed seems to 80 - 100k. Last time I went to the airport there was a heavy stream of continuous traffic in the 60k zone on the M50 between Blanchardstown and the M1 all flowing at 120k In contrast, its now rare to see speeding on the DC by the Spawell in Tempelogue. Another thing that seems to be successful in slowing traffic down is Cadburys Creme Egg adverts on bus shelters.:)

Redsoxfan

MYOB wrote: »

There are a few obvious honeypots set up around Maynooth with laughably inappropriate 60s. Thats one of them, where the far poorer roads (this secton was widened and relayed a year ago) around it at all 80km/h. The Leixlip->M4 DC is another.

....and there was a GATSO under the bridge in the 60 zone (Leixlip-M4) a few weeks ago.

Steerpike

Yes, OMCD... tailgating is a problem alright. And what can you do to stop someone doing it? Not much, I think. Apart from maybe putting your foot down ;-) but then you'll probably get zapped...

The worst thing about it RS, is we'll be afraid to go out on the roads at all when they are privatised. I'm trying to get something going on my blog on this very issue (and VRT), so if any of you want to lend your support via comments (nice ones, now!) or Gatso locations, friendly motoring enthusiasts are always more than welcome.