Unmarked speed van

SullieN

I was driving on the M50 this morning and noticed a unmarked speed van, it looked like a regular van but I noticed the radar/camera through the rear window as I drove by. Fortunately I wasn't speeding but I was surprised as I was under the impression that speed vans had to be marked and clearly visible.

Is this correct or can they speed vans be unmarked?

TIA

TheChizler

The GoSafe ones that can issue fines have to be marked, they have unmarked ones for surveys.

bladespin

SullieN wrote:

Is this correct or can they speed vans be unmarked?

Yes

shanec1928

The gardai have a white and a red one. Usually there is a small sign on the front doors of the van.

sgthighway

I know in Galway they use a white high roof transit. Back windows are tinted except for bottom piece on drivers side. You will see camera just as you pass it. There is also an air vent on roof. Doesn’t stay too long in same spot. Garda sits in back. Van goes between Limerick and Galway.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/speed-signs-rural-roads-replaced-2835851

ml100

I saw that van too this morning, wasn't sure on my speed, around 100😫, no markings on it as far as I could see, and orange work lights on the roof, but defiantly camera in the back.

homik

Whereabout on the M50 did you see it?

Infini

homik wrote: »

Whereabout on the M50 did you see it?

I spotted a Van like that just past the Finglas Jct the other day, wasn't marked and was a bit concerned about it as I was in the overtaking side at the time and would have gone over a bit. Hopefully it's just a survey van and nothing more.

SullieN

homik wrote: »

Whereabout on the M50 did you see it?

Northbound between exit 4 and 5. At around 9am

easyvision

Saw one the other morning on rock rd. Was bit paranoid after I passed

easyvision

Saw one the other morning on rock rd. Was bit paranoid after I passed

ewj1978

Guards use the vans. They're unmarked and don't require markings as they are garda vans and not gosafe. And yes they will give you a ticket.

Odyssey 2005

ewj1978 wrote: »

Guards use the vans. They're unmarked and don't require markings as they are garda vans and not gosafe. And yes they will give you a ticket.

BS. They are survey Van's. They survey the speed of passing vehicles and calculate how many are exceeding the SL.
Expect real gosafe/garda speed Van's soon !!

wonski

It's not bs. Unmarked vans are being used by both Garda and Gosafe. The difference is unmarked Gosafe van will not issue a fine.
Garda will.

The J Stands for Jay

wonski wrote: »

It's not bs. Unmarked vans are being used by both Garda and Gosafe. The difference is unmarked Gosafe van will not issue a fine.
Garda will.

Can confirm. A few years back I got points and a fine from an unmarked transit at the side of the M50.

stefanovich

shanec1928 wrote: »

The gardai have a white and a red one. Usually there is a small sign on the front doors of the van.

The Garda vans are usually well hidden. Increasing danger on the road due to people braking last minute.

sgthighway

Garda Van also has ANPR.

OldMrBrennan83

stefanovich wrote: »

The Garda vans are usually well hidden. Increasing danger on the road due to people braking last minute.

The people driving fast enough that they have to brake are the danger.

stefanovich

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

The people driving fast enough that they have to brake are the danger.

People driving at the speed limit brake when they see a van. I have seen many people decelerate rapidly from 100 -> 80 when they see a van even though the limit is 100.

Hiding the vans out of view results in people just hitting the brake as a reflex.

Infini

The only thing I thought was that speedo van's weren't used on Motorways that it was always guards with the speed cam simply because having a speedo van might spook someone into braking suddenly and actually CAUSING a pileup (irony factor). I've only ever seen guards on the motorways or on slip roads checking traffic I've never actually seen em on the like's of the M50 and even the one I thought might be one was completely unmarked. The M7 works were the only exception of course because they're enforcing a reduced speed limit.

Andrewf20

I use the m50 almost daily for many years now and have never seen a speed van.

_Kaiser_

Infini wrote: »

The only thing I thought was that speedo van's weren't used on Motorways that it was always guards with the speed cam simply because having a speedo van might spook someone into braking suddenly and actually CAUSING a pileup (irony factor). I've only ever seen guards on the motorways or on slip roads checking traffic I've never actually seen em on the like's of the M50 and even the one I thought might be one was completely unmarked. The M7 works were the only exception of course because they're enforcing a reduced speed limit.

Nope, the vans can be on motorways too, albeit usually fairly rare.

I came across a Gosafe one parked up on the M7 just beyond exit 15 eastbound a few weeks ago.

BronsonTB

I can also confirm the guards have white vans with the camera mounted on the side doors rather than the back door. Allows for alternative positioning of the van.

OP: The guards do not have to have a marked van & can park anywhere.

stefanovich

BronsonTB wrote: »

I can also confirm the guards have white vans with the camera mounted on the side doors rather than the back door. Allows for alternative positioning of the van.

OP: The guards do not have to have a marked van & can park anywhere.

3/4 of the van behind a tree or hedge usually.