Speed Cameras in Donegal

doc_17

Well folks. I was just reading the front page of the Donegal news and there was a story about the speed cameras (privately run) and their locations. Apparently one of the locations is between the Port Road Bridge and Bonagee rounabout.

It was my impression that these cameras were to be put in areas which were accident blackspots and had been the location of fatal/serious crashes?

Since I'm not from the area but use the road the odd time I was just wondering if this particular stretch of road was an accidental blackspot?

Or is this a part of road where they can make some cash by booking somebody driving a mile over the limit?

One of the other areas is between Bridgend and Buncrana which is a bad road.

muffler

I would think that its the busiest stretch of road anywhere in the county given the volume of traffic entering the town from other areas.

Its not an accident black spot that I am aware of so yes, it is a financial exercise.

madalig12

Between the port road bridge and the bonagee roundabout is a 100km speed zone, therefore if anyone is speeding on it they deserve to be caught as there are lots of dangers along that stretch.

doc_17

muffler wrote: »

I would think that its the busiest stretch of road anywhere in the county given the volume of traffic entering the town from other areas.

Its not an accident black spot that I am aware of so yes, it is a financial exercise.

Yeah that's what I thought but I would be in favour of a reduction in the sped limit there due to the volume of traffic.

I know the gardai were out on the Neil Blaney road about 6 weeks ago on a Monday morning at 1030 doing folks driving at 65km/h. Now that's a stinker to be doing that for a living!

Pique

doc_17 wrote: »

I know the gardai were out on the Neil Blaney road about 6 weeks ago on a Monday morning at 1030 doing folks driving at 65km/h. Now that's a stinker to be doing that for a living!

Why ? Easiest job in the world

North_West_Art

in Germany some years ago, some irresponsible, law breaking drivers used to loosen their number plates, so that they would vibrate while in motion, and the image would blurred on the speed-camera photo... *shakes head in shock and disgust*

inode

North_West_Art wrote: »

in Germany some years ago, some irresponsible, law breaking drivers used to loosen their number plates, so that they would vibrate while in motion, and the image would blurred on the speed-camera photo... *shakes head in shock and disgust*

....now where did i leave that screwdriver

sligopark

North_West_Art wrote: »

in Germany some years ago, some irresponsible, law breaking drivers used to loosen their number plates, so that they would vibrate while in motion, and the image would blurred on the speed-camera photo... *shakes head in shock and disgust*

nice trick - when I lived in Germany there was a spray you could buy that disturbed camera images too although on the autobahns I used between Berlin and Hanover there was no need really given the speed limits

mistermouse

They are going to reduce the speed limit on that stretch. I'd say its a mopney making exercise like most of the speed cameras will be. The Govt say no but they aren't known for telling the truth in this country

It'll probably co-incide with this stretch limits being lowered and people will be badly caught out, probably deliberately timed

sligopark

best getting a northern address, re-reg.ing your car (advantaging the once only VRT payment), paying a lower car tax and not getting the fine in the post....

PattheMetaller

muffler wrote: »

I would think that its the busiest stretch of road anywhere in the county given the volume of traffic entering the town from other areas.

Its not an accident black spot that I am aware of so yes, it is a financial exercise.

Agreed. I've been driving that stretch of dual carriageway a couple of times daily for nearly 20 years and the worst I've ever seen is a minor rear end shunt while a car was waiting to turn up Cullion Road.

The biggest hazzard on this stretch is some of the idiotic manoevres of drivers exiting the various businesses and attempting a right turn!!!

sligopark wrote: »

best getting a northern address, re-reg.ing your car (advantaging the once only VRT payment), paying a lower car tax and not getting the fine in the post....

I thought that fines and penalty points could now be issued between South and North??

sligopark

PattheMetaller wrote: »

I thought that fines and penalty points could now be issued between South and North??

Nope and not for some time - despite all the talk - there is a disparity between the offences and resultant fines and points i.e., for some offfences in the south - its two points and an €80 fine - in the north 3 points and a £50 fine and/or court appearance - the only time there is any follow up I understand from the south is when the fine isn't paid.

A Northern chap I know living down here has had countless speeding tickets, paid them all, and hasn't a point ...

Redsoxfan

I'm open to correction, but if you are convicted of a motoring offence that earns a ban in the North, the ban now also applies in the Republic, and vice versa. This doesn't apply to 'basic' speeding offences, but stuff like dangerous driving etc.

sligopark

I think its for bans only but also open to correction

Senna

sligopark wrote: »

I think its for bans only but also open to correction

If your banned, you dont hold a legal license, so it apply's worldwide. But the cross country penalty points haven't been introduced yet.

muffler

Sorry guys, but we need to stay on the topic of the cameras.

Thanks.

sandt

does anyone know where the camera is supposed to be between bridgend and buncrana?

homer simpson

sandt wrote: »

does anyone know where the camera is supposed to be between bridgend and buncrana?

As far as i know the Garda website only tells you of the road they will possibly be on, not their exact locations, it would be pointless to do that! Sure stay under the speed limit and you'll have no bother :P

buckfasterer

sandt wrote: »

does anyone know where the camera is supposed to be between bridgend and buncrana?

The cop in charge of the area and where the cameras are going to be said on highland a week or so back that they'd be well sign posted in the areas where they are positioned, reason being they are looking to catch the people who arent paying attention on the road and dont see the sign.

dave_brent

muffler wrote: »

I would think that its the busiest stretch of road anywhere in the county given the volume of traffic entering the town from other areas.

Its not an accident black spot that I am aware of so yes, it is a financial exercise.

Exactly if this an accident black spot the most logical step would be to lower the speed limit accordingly.

North_West_Art

hi guys... heres a list of the locations where the new mobile speed detection cameras will be in operation around the county.

http://www.garda.ie/sez/Donegal.aspx

Each location here is a so called 'speed enforcement zone'.... so it doesn't mean that they have an individual camera for each area listed. They'll be raking it in!

ednwireland

North_West_Art wrote: »

They'll be raking it in!

only if you break the speed limit !

thanks though - was looking for that

sligopark

Just checked that - all rural roads in Donegal (no mention of the number of accidents and fatalities) - checked the sligo roads - they are all national roads and only one with a history of fatal accidents (drumfin - castlebaldwin - ballinfad) - major money maker here in sligo - are the roads in Donegal covered many fatality routes?

homer simpson

sligopark wrote: »

Just checked that - all rural roads in Donegal (no mention of the number of accidents and fatalities) - checked the sligo roads - they are all national roads and only one with a history of fatal accidents (drumfin - castlebaldwin - ballinfad) - major money maker here in sligo - are the roads in Donegal covered many fatality routes?

Your way off the mark saying they are all rural roads, and some of the roads have had fatal accidents on them...

Barnsmore numerous accidents....Barnsmore

N13 not enough fingers to count fatalities)....N13

N15 outside Ballybofey (again numerous deaths)
N15

Barnsmore, numerous deaths again.... Barnsmore 2


R242 (outside Quiglys point) multiple deaths....
R242

Look the way i see these Camera's is that they will be a pain in the hole for sure, but it will slow people down (me included) and if it helps stop accidents i'm all for it, although some of the places where the cameras are at look to be money making location there really aint that many of them the most of them are known roads for accidents!

North_West_Art

yep, if it helps reduce the number of accidents, and acts as a deterrent to speeding, then it can only be a positive thing.. Ive witnessed some crazy driving lately, especially in the Gap

sligopark

homer_simpson wrote: »

Your way off the mark saying they are all rural roads, and some of the roads have had fatal accidents on them...

Barnsmore numerous accidents....Barnsmore

N13 not enough fingers to count fatalities)....N13

N15 outside Ballybofey (again numerous deaths)
N15

Barnsmore, numerous deaths again.... Barnsmore 2


R242 (outside Quiglys point) multiple deaths....
R242

Look the way i see these Camera's is that they will be a pain in the hole for sure, but it will slow people down (me included) and if it helps stop accidents i'm all for it, although some of the places where the cameras are at look to be money making location there really aint that many of them the most of them are known roads for accidents!

fair enough but have you looked at the roads covered from Sligo to Donegal? They have money written all over them

implausible

From what I can see, both the RSA and the Gardaí are at pains to emphasise that the incentive here is getting people to slow down, not earn money (and even if it was, the country could do with it ). I don't know how many times I heard Conor Faughnan say that the people manning these are being paid by the hour, not by the amount of fines.

PattheMetaller

The roads listed in the above differ from the attached map on the Garda website

http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=6497

So which is right?

Mint Sauce

I have looked at the map as well between sligo and donegal, and there are potentally 10 different points where I could meet a camera. But if your not speeding, you should have nothing to worry about. Just make sure you have slowed suffiecently when approaching town boundarys as this could be a spot where people could be caught out.

homer simpson

Well it seems that the link in the OP (http://www.garda.ie/sez/Donegal.aspx) was listing locations where you could meet a Gardai car with a hairdryer hanging out the window, they have since taken the map with them locations offline...

The map which PattheMetaller posted the link to (http://www.garda.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=6497) is the one where the mobile speed camera vans can be located, now there are far less locations listed on the map than the other link (the old camera locations) but a good few of the locations on the new map don't jump out at bring accident black spots, so most of them WILL BE money making locations :rolleyes:

Another question now comes to mind, will we now not see Gardai at the side of the road with the Hairdryer anymore or will they still do that too?

North_West_Art

I'd imagine they would continue the practice of hair-dryer-pointing... the sooner they pay for the new cameras, the sooner the takings will be net profit

Mint Sauce

I'd say you will see the hair driers and the tripods as well doing the random checks as well. At least with the hair drier you might just get a good talking too rather than the no questions fine and points that the vans will dish out.

homer simpson

North_West_Art wrote: »

I'd imagine they would continue the practice of hair-dryer-pointing... the sooner they pay for the new cameras, the sooner the takings will be net profit

irish-stew wrote: »

I'd say you will see the hair driers and the tripods as well doing the random checks as well. At least with the hair drier you might just get a good talking too rather than the no questions fine and points that the vans will dish out.

Yeah True, only ever been caught speeding the once, it was on the Muff moville road when it was 80KPH, the guy who stopped me was giving me the ticket either way i think, he spoke to me to ask for my license + then to say there's your ticket that was it, no chance of getting off with a warning there!

Anyways, has anyone actually seen any of these vans in Donegal yet? I see in other forums they are out in force (all different types of vans / colors too, not just the usual transit) but yet to hear of one being seen in Donegal?

Senna

Haven't seen them yet, but i did see pictures of them on the news and they seemed to be well marked. Unlike the old white transit they used before that which had no markings what-so-ever. At least if its marked and you were speeding, you'll know there'll be a fine in the post.

homer simpson

I friend of mine on facebook posted this up a few minutes ago, i hope they are all as visible as this!

bmw535d

pffft if anyone is caught by a van marked like that they deserve to be caught IMO as they couldn't be paying much attention to the road if they don't see it.

homer simpson

bmw535d wrote: »

pffft if anyone is caught by a van marked like that they deserve to be caught IMO as they couldn't be paying much attention to the road if they don't see it.

I know.... that coupled with the fact that they are supposed to have a sign 100 meters up the road in either direction telling you there is a gatso van up ahead, lol.

P.S> im too used to the first button below a post (on the right being quote) but its now edit! therefore i edited the above post by mistake, oops apoligies

sligopark

at least they will slow traffic in areas where excessive speed is killing

muffler

homer_simpson wrote: »

P.S> im too used to the first button below a post (on the right being quote) but its now edit! therefore i edited the above post by mistake, oops apoligies

The joys of being a mod

heyjude

bmw535d wrote: »

pffft if anyone is caught by a van marked like that they deserve to be caught IMO as they couldn't be paying much attention to the road if they don't see it.

However, the equipment in the van is supposed to have a range of 1000 metres, so if the road is straight enough, you could be caught before you're close enough to be sure.

stephendevlin

PattheMetaller wrote: »

The biggest hazzard on this stretch is some of the idiotic manoevres of drivers exiting the various businesses and attempting a right turn!!!

Yes I see that a lot! Also its 100k road people doing 60k in the overtaking lane while there are no traffic in the slow lane .. also 2 lanes of traffic which means YES.. YES of course you have to look & indicate when changing lanes. I was doing 100kph when a car pulled out in front of me doing 60kph without indicating or looking ... I just about got slowed down. People switching lanes on the corner after the roundabout too without looking:rolleyes: BEWARE!

muffler

2 threads on same topic merged.

Carrickman

So any sign of any of these vans in the County yet?

Firblog

On the same day they introduced the cameras, they reduced the speed limit (100kmph - 60kmph) on strech of road between top of the Mountcharles bypass to Inver bridge; tell me it's not a money making enterprise....

homer simpson

Firblog wrote: »

On the same day they introduced the cameras, they reduced the speed limit (100kmph - 60kmph) on strech of road between top of the Mountcharles bypass to Inver bridge; tell me it's not a money making enterprise....

Seriously is that not a duel carrigeway on one side? if its the same road i'm thinking on i can't see any reason for it being reduced! Typical

Firblog

Yeah, on the hill leading up to Kelly's toyota garage there is an overtaking lane, 'nuff said....

PattheMetaller

homer_simpson wrote: »

Seriously is that not a duel carrigeway on one side? if its the same road i'm thinking on i can't see any reason for it being reduced! Typical

And low and behold, said stretch of road is marked red on the garda map

Also, the R245 Letterkenny to Ramelton from LYIT to halfway up the hill to Tara Court is a safety camera zone; never saw any accident on that stretch that were worse than a shunt.

N56 from Mountain Top Roundabout to the bottom of the Blue Banks!!! One of the best roads in the county. And they say it isn't a revenue generating exercise :rolleyes:

niamh1975

Firblog wrote: »

On the same day they introduced the cameras, they reduced the speed limit (100kmph - 60kmph) on strech of road between top of the Mountcharles bypass to Inver bridge; tell me it's not a money making enterprise....

That speed limit reduction has been in place for weeks now. Thought it was temporary due to the roadworks but obviously not. What is the point in there being an overtaking lane if you can't go over 60km/h?

buckfasterer

Was the speed limit going through Newton always 60 kph? On the main road going past Kernans.

homer simpson

buckfasterer wrote: »

Was the speed limit going through Newton always 60 kph? On the main road going past Kernans.

Nope its only Temp for the roadworks Afink....

buckfasterer

homer_simpson wrote: »

Nope its only Temp for the roadworks Afink....

If you go through there now though there's the official looking speed signs up, before the bend going into Newton from the Derry direction and up to where the roadworks currently are at the Letterkenny end......I travel this road 3 times a week and the first I was aware of them was Wed!