Garda speed traps

dillo2k10

I was driving in the M4 today and I came to the section of the road where it turns from the M4 to the N4 and the speed limit suddenly falls from 120 to 80 so as people are slowing down there is a garda stopped at the side of the road with a speed camera catching everyone as they drove past, not giving them any chance to slow down, I personally Jammed on which I know could have caused an accident but I wasn't getting a speeding fine and points.

Can the garda do that? Have a speed camera just as the speed limit decreases? Not giving anyone a chance to actually slow down?

bc dub

Yes.

Profiler

I'm not familiar with that stretch of road so forgive me if I'm wrong on this.

However would it not be the case that the end of the motorway, and therefore it's speed of 120kmph, is advertised by signs?

for example big blue sign

"Motorway End in 3KM" (with the motorway sign and not necessarily the words)

Usually it's flagged every kilometer there after? but again I don't know the area you mention I just using other Motorway and how there endings are notified to road users.

Mint Sauce

Yes. Its a ****ty thing to do but the end of the motorway, and the speed limit is well signed.



tbh, they might earn more from speeding fines at the approach and exit from the toll booths.

:pac:

MagicSean

It ends at the bridge doesn't it? And the gardai are usually a good bit up past the slip road.

Liam Byrne

dillo2k10 wrote: »

I was driving in the M4 today and I came to the section of the road where it turns from the M4 to the N4 and the speed limit suddenly falls from 120 to 80 so as people are slowing down there is a garda stopped at the side of the road with a speed camera catching everyone as they drove past, not giving them any chance to slow down, I personally Jammed on which I know could have caused an accident but I wasn't getting a speeding fine and points.

Can the garda do that? Have a speed camera just as the speed limit decreases? Not giving anyone a chance to actually slow down?

Did you not get a chance to slow down over the previous 3 or 4 km ? Or even in the 100m before the sign ?

If you see a red traffic light do you zoom up to it at 50 and only lamp on the brakes at the last second then too?

Once inside the 80kmph zone you should be doing no more than 80.

So yes, he's entitled to check.

AnonymousPrime

The guard would have to be a reasonable distance from the change of speed limit. If not it could be argued in court that he clocked you in the 120k zone.

Those speeds are shot from a fair distance and the point of capture is inaccurate

biko

From AH.

dillo2k10

MagicSean wrote: »

It ends at the bridge doesn't it? And the gardai are usually a good bit up past the slip road.

The first sign to say the speed limit has changed was just at the bridge and the garda was on the side of the road about 100m along the road.

it's not sudden
it's well signed
80 does not mean "ah sure i'll slow down in a while"
be a bit more observant in future and stop jamming on the brakes in the middle of a motorway/national road

mikewest

Perfect speed trap location. End of motorway bottom of a hill and hidden round a corner.

In fairness they aren't always there and even if you don't use any braking you should be down to very near 100km/h if you simply lift off the accelerator at the actual end of the motorway which is just before the crest of the hill.

dillo2k10

bluewolf wrote: »

it's not sudden
it's well signed
80 does not mean "ah sure i'll slow down in a while"
be a bit more observant in future and stop jamming on the brakes in the middle of a motorway/national road

I dont mean that just just slow down in a while but as soon as you see the sign you shouldn't just slap on your breaks, should you not slow down gradually?

And everyone keeps saying its well signed, theres one sign on either side of the motor way. its not like there were multiple signs.

mikewest wrote: »

Perfect speed trap location. End of motorway bottom of a hill and hidden round a corner.

In fairness they aren't always there and even if you don't use any braking you should be down to very near 100km/h if you simply lift off the accelerator at the actual end of the motorway which is just before the crest of the hill.

But you dont have to get to 100 you have to drop from 120 to 80

Liam Byrne

dillo2k10 wrote: »

bluewolf wrote: »

it's not sudden
it's well signed
80 does not mean "ah sure i'll slow down in a while"
be a bit more observant in future and stop jamming on the brakes in the middle of a motorway/national road

I dont mean that just just slow down in a while but as soon as you see the sign you shouldn't just slap on your breaks, should you not slow down gradually?

And everyone keeps saying its well signed, theres one sign on either side of the motor way. its not like there were multiple signs.

mikewest wrote: »

Perfect speed trap location. End of motorway bottom of a hill and hidden round a corner.

In fairness they aren't always there and even if you don't use any braking you should be down to very near 100km/h if you simply lift off the accelerator at the actual end of the motorway which is just before the crest of the hill.

But you dont have to get to 100 you have to drop from 120 to 80

Are the signs hidden by trees? If not they should be clearly visible from 100m or more away, and taking your foot off the pedal will have you at the right speed when you reach them.

Mr Simpson

dillo2k10 wrote: »

And everyone keeps saying its well signed, theres one sign on either side of the motor way. its not like there were multiple signs

There may be only one speed sign, but I would imagine there are plenty of signs warning you about the end of the motorway, that should be enough to tell you to be prepared to reduce your speed.

dillo2k10

mmcn90 wrote: »

There may be only one speed sign, but I would imagine there are plenty of signs warning you about the end of the motorway, that should be enough to tell you to be prepared to reduce your speed.

But the thing is there aint signs signaling the end of the motor way. There is one sign that says the N4 is straight ahead but no distances.

chinwag

I too have often wondered how motorists are expected to reduce speed so quickly (without braking too hard) in situations like that experienced by the OP - should there not be a short speed adjustment distance to allow a driver to comply safely with a reduced speed limit. Otherwise, one cannot help but wonder if many of these "speed traps" are more about revenue collection rather than proper and fair law enforcement.

MagicSean

chinwag wrote: »

I too have often wondered how motorists are expected to reduce speed so quickly (without braking too hard) in situations like that experienced by the OP - should there not be a short speed adjustment distance to allow a driver to comply safely with a reduced speed limit. Otherwise, one cannot help but wonder if many of these "speed traps" are more about revenue collection rather than proper and fair law enforcement.

You can see the speed limit sign from a good bit away.

when i see the speed sign i take my foot off the accelerator
by the time i reach it i am 80 if not below

UnkieKev

It's called a speed limit...not a speed compliance. Maybe drive at 100kmh, then you need only slow by 20. I don't get people who have an obsessive urge to drive exactly on the limit ALL of the time.

dillo2k10

UnkieKev wrote: »

It's called a speed limit...not a speed compliance. Maybe drive at 100kmh, then you need only slow by 20. I don't get people who have an obsessive urge to drive exactly on the limit ALL of the time.

Thats fine if your just floating around with nothing better to do than just sit in your car all day.

Also you would fail your driving test if you didnt drive close enough to the speed limit when possible.

chinwag

MagicSean wrote: »

You can see the speed limit sign from a good bit away.

Not always, I think they can appear quite abruptly in places.

bluewolf wrote: »

when i see the speed sign i take my foot off the accelerator
by the time i reach it i am 80 if not below

Sometimes that works, but again not always, in my experience.

And I would not be considered a fast driver.

Btw, I have no time for aggressive or reckless driving.

Chiparus

Larger signs would help.

UnkieKev

dillo2k10 wrote: »

UnkieKev wrote: »

It's called a speed limit...not a speed compliance. Maybe drive at 100kmh, then you need only slow by 20. I don't get people who have an obsessive urge to drive exactly on the limit ALL of the time.

Thats fine if your just floating around with nothing better to do than just sit in your car all day.

Also you would fail your driving test if you didnt drive close enough to the speed limit when possible.

Allow me to rephrase :-)

Would you not start driving at 100 a kilometer or so from the speed change point knowing the end of the motorway is ahead :-)