Must be coming to the end of the month and quotas need filling....

ScouseMouse

Half ten last night, joining M50 south from Lucan, two hundred meters down the road, there is the white transit gatso. Strange says me, I do this trip 6 nights a week and never seen it there before. Must be a new place.

Then today at 3pm, there it is again. M50 southbound just after joining M50 from lucan ramp nearly at the coldcut bridge. Should be ok myself as I was only joining the motorway. Get to Red Cow, and just passed it, sitting on the ramp, joining M50 going south, there is the red mondeo with the gun out the window.

Whats the story, figures need bolstering coming up to the end of the month or something?

mike65

Always the case, the last week of the month sees the cops dust off the cameras and go out if its nice enough.

thehomeofDob

I've never seen the camera's out on the m50... will have to slow down so.

Tefral

Purely a money grabbing excercise...

No reason why a gatso van should be on a motorway, they are statistically the safest places to drive

CrowdedHouse

Ah don't be so cynical - think of all the lives they saved by being there

i think its great that they sit on motorways. it lets me try and break 100 on B roads without any fear of getting caught.

The Muppet

cronin_j wrote: »

Purely a money grabbing excercise...

No reason why a gatso van should be on a motorway, they are statistically the safest places to drive

The M50 a motorway? Yeah Right.

Though it is illegal to park there, is there still roadworks on that stretch?

Damien360

The gatso has been on the M50 a few times lately but in the 100kph zone only thankfully. It was in just off the hard shoulder after the redcow going Northbound Thursday last at 8.30am.

If they really wanted to shoot fish in a barrel they would just have to pick anywhere after the blanchardstown exit as it is 60kph all the way to M1 from there.

Seth Brundle

I've seen it on both sides between the N4 & N7 junctions at different times of the day (including mornings).
It is there purely for money but in fairness, people do exceed 130/140 km/h along there once the dipsticks get out of the feckin way!

ScouseMouse

kbannon wrote: »

I've seen it on both sides between the N4 & N7 junctions at different times of the day (including mornings).
It is there purely for money but in fairness, people do exceed 130/140 km/h along there once the dipsticks get out of the feckin way!

well put !

Lord Nikon

Best stretch of "dual carrraigeway" in The Pale at the moment tbh.

Marlow

Deleted User wrote: »

i think its great that they sit on motorways. it lets me try and break 100 on B roads without any fear of getting caught.

Sorry for bursting your bubble, but they are on the b-roads, too. Saw one of the mondeo's with the gun out the window on monday on the N63 in Turloughmore, Co. Galway.

They are out to fill the quotas and grab a bit cash alright, when it comes to the end of the month, especially in the winter months.

/M

L1011

Marlow wrote: »

Sorry for bursting your bubble, but they are on the b-roads, too. Saw one of the mondeo's with the gun out the window on monday on the N63 in Turloughmore, Co. Galway.

They are out to fill the quotas and grab a bit cash alright, when it comes to the end of the month, especially in the winter months.

/M

N = National Route, the N63 isn't a "B road". The R and L routes throughout the country where you can blast away unhindered are.

Lord Nikon

I know what the M50 is, and the Mad Cow, and Lucan. I forget that this forum isnt just centred around the East of the country. God help those who don;t know what we are talking about.

Marlow

MYOB wrote: »

N = National Route, the N63 isn't a "B road". The R and L routes throughout the country where you can blast away unhindered are.

Well, technically you might not consider the N63 a B road, it was however an example, that the garda aren't just on the motorways.

I met just 5 cop cars around Galway today, on all kinds of roads. The fact is, that they are out again. And they are after YOU

/M

smash

For anyone that travels southbound from cherrywood in the evenings, you've probably seen the garda every now and then sitting on the down ramp to the m50 leaning out his window with a speed gun... good use of resources there!

Seth Brundle

neuromancer wrote: »

Best stretch of "dual carrraigeway" in The Pale at the moment tbh.

The M50? :eek:
Its crap!

itarumaa

To fix the country´s budget you only need to put a speed check in m50 where the speed limit is 60km/h.

That would be endless source of money, lets just hope garda will never realize this:)

trad

steve06 wrote: »

For anyone that travels southbound from cherrywood in the evenings, you've probably seen the garda every now and then sitting on the down ramp to the m50 leaning out his window with a speed gun... good use of resources there!

Wouldn't think so the way some clowns drive there. Come onto the ramp in outside lane, then swerve across to the inside lane where it opens up to 3 lanes and then whoosh across to the outside lane after the traffic lights where the inside lane disappears.

kippy

itarumaa wrote: »

To fix the country´s budjet you only need to put a speed check in m50 where the speed limit is 60km/h.

That would be endless source of money, lets just hope garda will never realize this:)

There would be TOO much work in processing all the people caught on that stretch.

smash

trad wrote: »

Wouldn't think so the way some clowns drive there. Come onto the ramp in outside lane, then swerve across to the inside lane where it opens up to 3 lanes and then whoosh across to the outside lane after the traffic lights where the inside lane disappears.

They sit on the southbound down ramp, clocking cars driving by on the M50 itself. You can't see them from the M50, and you can only see them after turning the corner to get onto the ramp... they sit on the small hard shoulder where 2 lanes merge into 1 - it's bloody dangerous!

look here on the ramp, there's merging lanes and barely a hard shoulder http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.241014,-6.149737&spn=0.001669,0.004206&t=h&z=18

Seth Brundle

They do this on many motorway & DC on-ramps.
I recall when they used to park on the old N4 on-ramp @ the foxhunter in Lucan (heading west) - they were parked in behind some bushes and it appeared that they were only targetting people speeding on the ramp itself.

pippip

just wondering,

Can the gatso vans monitor and picture all three lanes on the m50 or do they have to be fixated on a single lane?

if the cops sit on the ramp with a gun out the window do they have to go after you or does it take a photo?

Seth Brundle

AFAIK the technology in the newer vans can get all three lanes

sk8board

they were on the M50 south this morning, just before the off-ramp for Red Cow (.ie between M4 and M7 juncts on the way down the 'hill' towards the red cow)

I reckon the whole road was doing about 110ish.

Does it read out of the front or the back? was doing about 110 before and 100 after (middle lane), but there were some guys really giving it the berries in the outside lane

not sure if I've been caught (not overly worried either, I've survived this long with no points!), but regarding the previous posters Q, theres really not much point in sitting there if it only monitors the inside lane I suppose.

KamiKazi

Yea saw them myself this morning on the M50, thank fvck they can't read bike plates (yet) as I was going at a handy enough pace.

bazzachazza

Monday Motorcycle copper was under a bridge on the M4 westbound between Maynooth and Kilcock with his hairdryer out. Seen the Jeep up the slip on the M4 slip at Maynooth both directions.

bazzachazza

kbannon wrote: »

They do this on many motorway & DC on-ramps.
I recall when they used to park on the old N4 on-ramp @ the foxhunter in Lucan (heading west) - they were parked in behind some bushes and it appeared that they were only targetting people speeding on the ramp itself.

Two days ago they were hidden behind the Mobile antenna site beside Woodies on the N4 back of the van pressed up against the van spying through the gap in the fence, they were completely invisible to any motorist heading towards them I would say there will be several hundred if not thousand drivers getting points from that every car speeds there as they think its motorway.

Zube

bazzachazza wrote: »

Two days ago they were hidden behind the Mobile antenna site beside Woodies on the N4

What time did you see them?

pburns

Deleted User wrote: »

i think its great that they sit on motorways. it lets me try and break 100 on B roads without any fear of getting caught.

Do we call them B-roads in Ireland? Thought that was a UK thing?

Yeah, I'm paranoid, a cop car sat on my bumper almost all the way home last night cross country and across a county border. I was going pretty easy (especially when I saw him!) but may have broken the limit coming out of a 50 zone earlier(?) Maybe he decided to follow and film? Dunno, a bit preoccupied with the thought that driving a Subaru sets you up as a target even if it isn't a screaming Impreza...

Omcd

pippip wrote: »

just wondering,

Can the gatso vans monitor and picture all three lanes on the m50 or do they have to be fixated on a single lane?

if the cops sit on the ramp with a gun out the window do they have to go after you or does it take a photo?

Saw one of these vans on the M50 southbound a few evenings ago about half a mile past the N4 junction. There were about 20 cars in a cluster spread over three lanes passing it a couple of hundred yards in front of me, it was all doing more or less exactly the same speed, about 90 -95k and had been doing so for the few hundred yards between when I joined in behind it and when it passed the van, however as the cluster of cars passed it, it flashed Definitely no one speeding at that point, but the van would have had a view all the way back to the toll bridge, so I'm thinking these things might be able to detect a car speeding from a good distance back, may be up to a kilometre or more back, and then take a picture even if that car has slowed down approaching the van ? Either that, or maybe they've ANPR in it and they're taking pictures of uninsured or untaxed cars ?

Cuddlesworth

KamiKazi wrote: »

Yea saw them myself this morning on the M50, thank fvck they can't read bike plates (yet) as I was going at a handy enough pace.

I was of the understanding that the new ones can get a shot of the back of the bike. Which doesn't bode well for me. Would this have been on the road at about 9pm at night?

Heroditas

pippip wrote: »

if the cops sit on the ramp with a gun out the window do they have to go after you or does it take a photo?

They have to go after you and catch you AFAIK.

KamiKazi

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

I was of the understanding that the new ones can get a shot of the back of the bike. Which doesn't bode well for me. Would this have been on the road at about 9pm at night?

AFAIK the new vans are wired up for the cameras but don't have the cameras yet as they are quite expensive.

I've a feeling my number plate will be getting a drastic reduction in size soon :P

congo_90

Seen the van a few times this week. Had an oh sh*t moment cos was doing 110 Hope I wasn't stung. Took it easy for the rest of the week.

Heroditas

congo_90 wrote: »

Took it easy for the rest of the week.

Even if they don't fine you, it just goes to show that even their presence will cause you slow down for a while!

Cuddlesworth

KamiKazi wrote: »

AFAIK the new vans are wired up for the cameras but don't have the cameras yet as they are quite expensive.

I've a feeling my number plate will be getting a drastic reduction in size soon :P

I hope your right cause if that thing caught a pic of me I don't think I'll just be getting points.

Zube

Heroditas wrote: »

They have to go after you and catch you AFAIK.

Tootled past them on the M6 at 150+ last night. It was pretty dark, and the car was up on the ramp but didn't come after me.

Might have been snoozing there, I suppose.

Previous night I was doing about 140, and a TC Volvo blasted past at about 170, no lights or sirens.

cyclopath2001

Zube wrote: »

Tootled past them on the M6 at 150+ last night. It was pretty dark, and the car was up on the ramp but didn't come after me.

You do know that that can get you internet records? Give a guy enough rope...

Seth Brundle

Zube wrote: »

Tootled past them on the M6 at 150+ last night. It was pretty dark, and the car was up on the ramp but didn't come after me.

Might have been snoozing there, I suppose.

it may have had ANPR also letting them get some kip!

Zube wrote: »

Previous night I was doing about 140, and a TC Volvo blasted past at about 170, no lights or sirens.

and what?

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

You do know that that can get you internet records? Give a guy enough rope...

get him for what? Admitting to speeding on an internet forum is not quite the same as admitting it under oath in court!

donvito99

Maybe it could have been the fact that on average 5 people die this bank holiday weekend, 45 in the last 9 years.

Speed Kills.

fischer

donvito99 wrote: »

Maybe it could have been the fact that on average 5 people die this bank holiday weekend, 45 in the last 9 years.

Speed Kills.

That must explain why roads with higher average speeds have much higher fatality rates. Er....hang on a minute....

Or is it just within the bounds of possibility that this issue is a little more complex than you have been led to believe? That the RSA might have it wrong?

Fischer

Seth Brundle

donvito99 wrote: »

Maybe it could have been the fact that on average 5 people die this bank holiday weekend, 45 in the last 9 years.

Speed Kills.

What source told you that it was speed and not drink/drugs/dangerous driving/tiredness/stupidity/inexperience/etc.
I'm glad that these statistics have finally been revealed accurately and I look forward to reading your source!

JHMEG

kbannon wrote: »

Admitting to speeding on an internet forum is not quite the same as admitting it under oath in court!

You're watching too much TV there kbannon No oath for traffic offences in court. You can see for yourself every week in Kilcock.

Seth Brundle

JHMEG wrote: »

You're watching too much TV there kbannon No oath for traffic offences in court. You can see for yourself every week in Kilcock.

You know what I had meant smarty!

donvito99

kbannon wrote: »

What source told you that it was speed and not drink/drugs/dangerous driving/tiredness/stupidity/inexperience/etc.

I didn't say that speed was the only factor in road deaths. Yes, some of these are more dangerous then speeding, but the fact is, there is a speed limit for a reason, exceeding it reduces the desirable reaction times that allow you to use a road safely.

kbannon wrote:

I'm glad that these statistics have finally been revealed accurately and I look forward to reading your source!

Garda calls for safety on roads

TIM O'BRIEN


GARDAÍ WILL this weekend appeal to families of drivers in a bid to reduce the numbers of people killed and seriously injured on roads over the October bank holiday.

While the overall number of people killed on the Republic’s roads is down more than 40 on the similar period last year, Garda Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre warned an average of almost five people lost their lives on the State’s roads on the October bank holiday weekend, over each of the last nine years.

This year Chief Superintendent McIntyre said a predicted sudden end to the recent warm spell, switching to wet roads and early morning mist or fog, could have lethal consequences for unprepared drivers.

Over the last nine years, 43 people lost their lives on roads during the October weekend – almost one third of them were vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

He appealed to drivers to be especially vigilant when the clocks go back next Sunday, and it gets darker earlier in the evenings.
He also said drivers should remember that using dipped headlights is an “effective and low-cost method of reducing daytime collisions”.
“A Danish study found a six per cent reduction in daytime multiple-vehicle collisions and a 34 per cent reduction in left-turn collisions,” he said, as a result of using dipped lights. He also quoted a US study which found the use of “daytime running lights” reduced the incidence of fatal collisions with pedestrians and cyclists by 12 per cent. Pedestrians themselves should use high visibility jackets, he said.

The Garda is appealing not just to drivers, but to the families of drivers to ensure motorists were aware of the dangers, particularly of drink or drug driving.

Supt McIntyre was speaking as the Garda unveiled its high-tech Garda Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, aimed at determining the cause of fatal traffic collisions. Head of the unit, Sergeant Colm Finn, said driver behaviour was the key issue behind road safety. He said speed limits of 80km/h were inappropriate on some roads and people driving at that speed were quite often driving too fast.

Sgt Finn also said the design or construction of road had seldom been determined to be the cause of fatal crashes or serious injuries. While speed was regularly blamed, in some conditions drivers could be within the speed limit, but still at a great risk. Even on motorways, he said, where speed limits were at the highest level, at 120km/h, drivers had a duty to be alert as unvaried driving conditions could lead to drowsiness.
The rollout of specialised equipment to each Garda division at a cost of €300,000, is unlikely to mollify Road Safety Authority chief executive Noel Brett who has in the past expressed frustration with waiting periods for information on the cause of collisions.

Irish Times

Zube

cyclopath2001 wrote: »

You do know that that can get you internet records?

And do what with them, exactly?

Occam

Marlow wrote: »

Sorry for bursting your bubble, but they are on the b-roads, too. Saw one of the mondeo's with the gun out the window on monday on the N63 in Turloughmore, Co. Galway.

They are out to fill the quotas and grab a bit cash alright, when it comes to the end of the month, especially in the winter months.

/M

Hang on a second. The Gardaí and RSA have publically listed this stretch as a "Collision Prone Zone", and publically said they will enforce speed limits on this stretch. Check out the Garda website for the list, all the major papers carried the list when it was announced.

When they tell people they are going to enforce limits on a stretch of road, surely its a bit rich to accuse them of revenue generation.....

galwaytt

donvito99 wrote: »

Maybe it could have been the fact that on average 5 people die this bank holiday weekend, 45 in the last 9 years.

Speed Kills.

I'm sure they do die. I'm equally sure it's not speed. Been done to death here already, that thats 'speed kills' thing is nothing but propoganda: just check with Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park: those roads with the highest limits, and highest speeds (motorways), are the safest. So your statement is incorrect.

LookBehindYou

Speed does not kill,, its the sudden stop that gets you.

On the subject of gatso vans,,, i have noticed a white gatso van parked on the N7 between Rathcoole and Kill headind towards Naas,late,, i have seen it there a few times between 01.00 to 04.00 hrs. Lucky i was riding a bike.

TheNog

galwaytt wrote: »

I'm sure they do die. I'm equally sure it's not speed. Been done to death here already, that thats 'speed kills' thing is nothing but propoganda: just check with Garda HQ in the Phoenix Park: those roads with the highest limits, and highest speeds (motorways), are the safest. So your statement is incorrect.

Speed checks on Motorways are needed due to the high speeds that can be involved. No one is disputing the fact that motorways are the safest roads in Ireland but proactive policing is better than its counterpart - reactive policing.

When replying to my post bear in mind I have sometimes done speed checks on a motorway where I have caught people travelling at 170kph+. I usually do them (rarely I might add but enough to show a presence to road users) at night time and I usually dont have to wait for very long.