Meanwhile on the Roads...

magicbastarder

if ever i heard an argument for 'disguising' speed camera vans as normal vans…

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137757#Comment_122137757

That was the way before "go safe". Certainly was for the one that was regularly in Kilmac on the N11.

Paddigol

I seem to remember years ago there being issues around the 'hiding' or disguising of speed vans as constituting a form of entrapment that proved problematic in prosecution of cases. Memory is hazy.

I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that if the political will was there they could simply steam roll the issue through with the assistance of the Attorney General. A complete overhaul of the legislation, to address fully the various loopholes that defendants can avail of currently. Just make it a policy that we are now taking speeding and RTA offences seriously - a zero tolerance approach. Just grasp the nettle and say "yes, we are sticking fixed cameras all over the place specifically to try and catch drivers who attempt to modify their driving to avoid visible speed vans. We are sticking cameras on as many traffic lights as possible specifically to record and penalise drivers who break the lights. And fines/ penalty points will be automated".

This softly, softly approach will never work.

Dr_Colossus

Seems like an awkful lot of motorists (53) summonsed to court for speeding in one location (no wonder the courts are so inefficient and cases taking years for an outcome). Guess those 53 are just the number that contested the initial fine so what about all the suckers that paid upfront and took their 3 penalty points for 3 years and resulting increase in insurance premiums? The judge exclaimed "You’re not going to be the benefit if you ignore the administration of justice, you won’t be getting any bounces off me,". Bonus so only to those that contested the fine and actually showed up in court for the day, good to know.

hesker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137672#Comment_122137672

Who needs a solicitor when the judge can get you off

Paddigol

There he is with his 'entrapment' nonsense. District court judges are a law unto themselves. He's basically appointed himself a consultant road safety expert with zero qualifications. Just a judge who drives a big Merc happy to take the drivers side against the bad speed vans. A bucket load of horse manure. Unfortunately the DPP are never arsed appealing these kind of decisions. Just seen as not worth their while.

The fact that they were jumping on the brakes should've gotten them an extra fine… really grinds my gears - you see it every day on the N11 - some numpty will be driving a couple of feet off your rear bumper and when you pull over after passing, they'll suddenly slow approaching a 'usual suspect' brow/ turn on the road. Plenty of times I'll end up undertaking cars who have jumped on the brakes because they spot a speed van, going from 110/ 115 to 90/ 95 and causing traffic to back up.

But yeah, remember your hi viz lads. Cos that's the problem on the roads.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137672#Comment_122137672

 It’s shooting fish in a barrel said by, I sh1t you not, a judge. Dear f*cking lord. Imagine the barrel is a choice, and the fish chose to get into it to get shot, then it makes sense, otherwise he is some sham of a judge.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137899#Comment_122137899

He fined anyone with out a solicitor, in case anyone thought it was OK to represent yourself.

what_traffic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137672#Comment_122137672

What baffles me here is that nothing of significance has been done to this REGIONAL road now and others in Ballinsloe since they got "the bypass" i.e M6 Motorway over a decade ago now. Church Street is still the same when it was part of the main Galway to Dublin Road N6. Speeding should be engineered out of these types of roads.

JMcL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137672#Comment_122137672

I was picking my jaw up of the floor on this one, and was coming to post it, but you beat me to it.

If the article is accurate, and I've no reason to believe it's misreporting, he's parachuting in his own subjective and obviously biased (shooting fish in barrel nonsense) "evidence". Surely he's obliged to only treat the evidence before him? Worth a complaint to the judicial council?

standardg60

I completely agree with the Judge tbh, an accident blackspot in a 50k zone? Yeah right.

There used to be a regular van on the drop down from the Dundrum bypass to the village, where you'd have to brake to maintain being under the limit, they'd never position on the other side for anyone going uphill.

It is nothing more than fish in a barrel, and has zero impact on road deaths.

CramCycle

If you can't keep it under the limit there, you will do it elsewhere. It's a 50km zone, if you can't stay under the limit, then you shouldn't be driving. It is as stupid as those people saying that the 30km limit is difficult as they sit in traffic daily averaging, you guessed it, under 30kmph. Memory serves me, there were regular minor crashes there at the car park exit a few years ago. Yes, no recollection of fatal ones but enough that I can see the justification. Also, the line of sight is decent, it was also a bit of a "due care and attention" test as well.

cletus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122138675#Comment_122138675

So what your arguing is that it's fine to speed, as long as nobody died in that spot yet?

Shooting fish in a barrel is a rubbish analogy. All of the locations of speed vans are sign posted on the road, as well as flagged on website. Seems like a pretty poor way of generating cash by telling people where they can avoid being caught speeding.

TheChizler

The bridge came out of nowhere...

https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/car-crashes-cork-bridge-19th-29172665.amp

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122140644#Comment_122140644

Was the bridge wearing high viz at the time?

ARX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122137947#Comment_122137947

So people who were breaking the speed limit get off scot-free because the judge thinks that GoSafe weren't playing cricket, old boy? FFS.

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122141939#Comment_122141939

That's the nuts and bolts of it, yeah. Unfortunately I think this mentality of RTA enforcement being an attack on motorists is a generational thing that we'll have to put up with until all the old codgers in positions of power are shipped off to nursing homes.

elchupanebrey

On the way to work this evening. 3 cars up ahead passed out a cyclist. All gave the biker plenty of space. The 2nd and 3rd cars crossed the centre line into the path of an oncoming car to make the pass. Obviously trying to drive economically and minimise use of the brake.

Paddigol

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/donegal/news/victim-of-fatal-hit-and-run-in-donegal-remembered-in-the-dail-during-road-safety-debate/a1864351847.html

What sort of person leaves the scene of an incident like that? Seems to be a more and more regular occurrence? How can someone live with themselves while the family of the deceased are left with the added trauma of never knowing what happened.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122146950#Comment_122146950

The prevalence of motorists crossing over the centre line to overtake cyclist or or parked cars into oncoming traffic, including cyclists is very common. Some people just wont slow down

This type of overtske can be made worse when it's a chain of vehicles tailgating leading to close passes by the following vehicles. These are so close to vehicles in front, they have no clue what is ahead etc. Blind following biind and inconsiderate leading vehicle.

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122146950#Comment_122146950

I would say overtakes that give plenty of space, but where the car can't see what's coming (e.g. on a bend or a brow of a hill) are far more common than close passes. Probably freak me out more. They do it with other slow moving vehicles too. But what is noticeable is that if there is an oncoming vehicle, they expect that to slow down or stop - no danger of them braking and pulling back in!

magicbastarder

i had that the other day - first time up around the back of the airport in eight months, and what i expected to happen, happened - a guy driving an artic overtook me on a blind bend, into oncoming traffic.

as i was further left, i saw the car before he did, and shot my hand out as a warning - but he accelerated into the manouevre rather than hanging back.

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122148208#Comment_122148208

This happens so frequently. I reported a bin truck that drove right up behind me and tried to overtake multiple times out of Enniskerry. Each time they tried, they could not pass due to on coming traffic. It finally overtook me almost fully on opposite side of the road before the last bend. From the left side of the road I could see a cyclist coming towards me but the truck driver could not see them. Senseless stuff. Aound the bend it was dead straight to the garage and beyond. Anyone overtaking before or at blind bends needs their head examined. They are a potential killer, of others, themselves or both.

Ryath

Had it couple of weeks ago on a solo spin drizzly day. Had pulsing rear light and jacket on that has a yellow back and loads of reflective strips. 80k R road but wide, coming up to a slight bend with a dip in the road.

Car coming from behind and I could hear he wasn't slowing. Just caught site of an oncoming car and stuck out my arm. Could hear him locking up and ABS chirping. Was full sure he was going into the back of me. In fairness they did stop well short but if they had gone for it he was definitely hitting the oncoming car or pulling back into me.

Two other needlessly close passes on straight sections that day and another overtake with an oncoming motorcyclist where the pulled back in front of me with 2 foot to spare. Start of a 50 zone and just before a bend. I really should invest in a Varia Radar and camera. Was really hoping the new Cycliq would have radar, hopefully the new varia with camera isn't too far off release.

Homesick Alien

I was cycling yesterday with my daughter on a narrow road without a cycle lane in south Dublin. Lady goes to overtake heading into a junction and a car turns into the road and she is now heading straight for it, hits the brakes and veers in on top of us. I shout "what the f*** are you doing" or words to that effect. Moments later she goes flying past again and beeps her horn at us, frightening my daughter, as if her reckless driving is somehow our fault. We caught up to her at the next set of lights at which point I let her have it. I was absolutely seething! I wish this was a one off but it happens regularly. Cars trying to get past on busy suburban roads, it's crazy.

Paddigol

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/dublin-airport-warns-passengers-of-severe-m50-delays-following-serious-crash/a48488910.html

Sounds bad, hopefully no serious injuries.

EDIT: I'm editing my post as it seems there's been a fatality and this is not the time/ place to bicker. Tragic news if true.

Macy0161

I think we can assume a fatality if it's closed for so long.

traco

Unfortunatly yes as I have heard from someone that was in traffic and first on the scene. He isn't the better of it.

RIP to the remaining family and also tragic for others involved. I won't comment on the details as I am sure there will be an investigation to clarify exactly what happened.

Dr_Colossus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149532#Comment_122149532

Hard to know but not necessarily. I was cycling in along the north quays in Dublin city centre yesterday morning at 06:30 and there was a large garda presence with one of the bridges cordoned off and a large section of the south quays across the river closed entirely with squad cars on each junction and a lot of garda tape. I presumed it was some sort of gangland shooting so had a search to find that it was a taxi driver and e-scooter rider crash that occurred at approximately 03:30. Whole section of the city centre was closed until 08:30 (5hrs) with ensuing traffic chaos. The news at time advised the e-scooter rider had been taken to hospital with serious injuries but thankfully no fatality.

McGrath5

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122149264#Comment_122149264

Google maps says from Rathfarnham it is a 1 hour 35 minute drive to Dublin airport, too cycle it's 1 hour 8 minutes.