Speeding Q&A superthread

My observation (I live about 5 minutes from 2 regular spots on the motorway) is that regardless of their new tech, they will still chase down anyone they're interested in for speeding.

If they don't come after you, I figure that you weren't over by enough to make the effort worthwhile, or they're in that spot as a deterrent (which does work as drivers will slow dramatically when they spot the car).

I was in Cork over the weekend and there was a very bored looking Garda sitting in an unmarked i40 estate between the lanes at the junction of the N28 to N40 (apparently a regular thing I'm told), though he was parked with the rear of the car facing the oncoming traffic. Maybe using ANPR? (assuming it can read cars behind?) But again anywhere else I've seen them they will pull cars in.

Just my observation and I stand to be corrected though.

Those cameras are linked to the VMS system and used to calculate the travel time messages on the screens.

No Garda with any sense will do you for speeding by eye, I wouldn't do it and have yet to meet a colleague stupid enough to do it. It's the reason most Gardai who stop you will show you the speed gun, it completely removes an avenue of defence for court.

If/when it goes to court you will be required to give evidence of speed which is not really possible to the degree necessary for conviction by estimation alone. Any decent solicitor or hell, even an incompetent solicitor would get you off and the Garda would/should get their hole opened by the judge for bringing such a case before them.

You could of course get done for inconsiderate driving(51A) or at a push, caresless driving (52) but that's a whole other thing.

There are static cameras as I've been informed here on the Port tunnell and new ones starting on the M7 between Nenagh and Birdhill

As I alluded to, it's not 'required' but better any man then me who gives evidence for the state in a prosecution for speeding without at least a speed gun reading as evidence and leaves themselves open to a hostile defence and likely judge.

Proof of calibration is not needed, for what it's worth they are calibrated regularly, as are the handheld Dragers (alcometers) and the station breath test machine.

Hi, usually careful driver but due to lack of concentration coming into Galway on a dual carriageway (limit 100) I noticed a speed van about 150-250 metres ahead. I checked my speed at that point as 107 kph and slowed immediately. I think my speedometer is only about 2-3kph over calibrated (if that the right phrase) so probably doing 104 or 105.

There were no other cars around me.

I appreciate any opinions/advice on the likelihood of me getting penalty points notice.

Thanks

TbL

Thank you

on basis of speed or distance ?

TbL

Thanks

was definitely under 100 kph by the time I was within 100 metres

TbL

Speed gun captures (actual Gardai) have more leeway than GoSafe tend to have (via roadside discretion/informal caution)

There is no hard and fast (excuse the pun) rule as to what you may be allowed to drive over the limit.

If they said the limit was 5km over then everyone (speaking in general terms) would then drive everywhere at 105 instead of 100. And following in from that they would start eeking over the 105 as the thought would be 'ah sure they let you go 5km over, and I'm only doing 3 or 4 over that, be grand' and that just grows from there.

As far as the Gardaí and GoSafe are concerned, the limit is the limit and anything above that is a roll of the dice if you are willing. They will never come out and openly state that you are permitted to go faster than the posted limit within a certain range, for obvious reasons.

If you were under 50 by the time you passed the back door of the van you'll be grand

If the speed camera van is located on the other side of road as you're travelling, could you still get speeding ticket?

On a N road with max 100 kmph limit.

Thanks. I was always curious about this situation.

Here's a bit of an odd one for ye...

Coming home on the motorway tonight and was overtaken as I was just passing under an exit by another car. On the far side of the exit/on ramp blue lights appeared, but it was dark and so I've no clue if it was a squad car, ambulance or fire truck. Anyway, I drove on at 120ish figuring that if it was indeed a speed trap and they wanted me they would catch up for a chat, but the lights never got any closer and disappeared about 2 exits later so either it was the slowest squad car ever or they stopped the other car (which I'd overtaken again at that point), or not one at all.

I rang the closest station to the junction in question when I got home though and the very decent Garda reckoned that if it was indeed a Garda car and they wanted a word they'd have pulled me in. I asked what the protocol is in such cases - if you're not even sure if it's a Garda car should you slow/pull in? (I didn't think so for obvious safety reasons on a motorway in the dark). He agreed saying their advice is to drive on unless stopped. He said he'd check with the Traffic guys though.

Strange one anyway.. Anyone ever come across something like this?

I don't think it was Aliens anyway!

Still, I've rang the traffic division for that area since and the consensus seems to be that if indeed it was a Garda car and they went to the effort of coming after someone, they'd pull them in.

Was on the n4 from Mullingar towards the toll booth last week and spotted a van in the distance on the stretch where the k service station is and speeds drop to 100 briefly. I remember looking down and seeing 107km on the speedometer and dropping off from there, but maybe they picked it up at more or less than that. Wondering what my chances are of getting ticketed? Guess I'll know soon enough.

Also wanted to know if anyone uses a particular app or dashcam to help with speed limit notifications or camera spots? This would be my second ticket in only a few months and I'll be off the road for 6 months with a third.

Have a look at Waze - its owned by Google so the mapping is spot on. Its a good app to help you keep your speed in check.

It will use your phones GPS for speed readings (so it is accurate) and you can set the over limit alerts (visual and audible). It also has crowd sourced alerts/warnings so I find it pretty useful on the motorways to alert for speed vans but obviously should never be relied upon to avoid speed detection.

Most modern dash cams like Garmin have good speed limit alerts setup also - they are probably slightly better as they use the camera to identify speed signs and hence more reliable than mapping - the more expensive versions also have a few other safety features in built also.

No they are not.

Wait, just to confirm, Have you recieved a notice or are you pre-empting it because you were over the limit but not stopped?

saw A gatso parked yesterday behind a bush alongside the Naas Road between Bluebell & the Kylemore X roads, southbound.

i was okay but it’s a dual carriageway with the inside lane a time restricted bus lane. There was a car coming up the inside of me. If he was speeding that’s his fault but I am asking can a gatso do a vehicle for driving in a bus lane?

Have to say where the van was parked was very sneaky.

Sorry then what are the mobile white vans called now?