Garda visibility at speed traps?

Mr Simpson · 29-04-2013 11:47PM

Hootanany wrote: »

Surely being in plain site would deter speeders hiding is pure revenue raising.

Being in plain sight would deter someone from speeding at that location. Being hidden at all locations should deter from speeding in general, because you would never know where they are, imo

Marsden · 30-04-2013 12:05AM

ironclaw wrote: »

There's no grey area. You can never, ever exceed the speed limit. If your doing 119km/h and someone wants to overtake you, they can legally do a maximum of 120km/h to do it.

What if a lunatic was driving behind you at a ridiculous speed and a collision was imminent. There's always grey area's, especially in Ireland. We have narrow country lanes with speed limit's of 100 kph but stretches of the 3 lane wide Naas road are 50. Whoever decides speed limit's on these roads must have their head up their swiss. As for the initial post the OP should be right but I'm afraid isn't. Although it's not entrapment, some of the sneaky hiding spot's I've seen guard's using do nothing to help road safety. There's a particular road at the back of Lucan with a speed limit of 50. Driving on this road at 60kph feel's slow and the speed is rarely adhered to. Almost every Sunday a guard jump's on his bike head's down to the bus stop, put's the bike behind it and peep's from behind with his camera.

I'm all for road safety and would be considered an over cautious driver by most but with practices like this, I could easily end up with a ticket. Having to stare down at your speedometer every minute doesn't increase road safety, it just makes it worse.

Celly Smunt · 30-04-2013 12:10AM

Mr Simpson wrote: »

Being in plain sight would deter someone from speeding at that location. Being hidden at all locations should deter from speeding in general, because you would never know where they are, imo

I call bollocks on that,if that's the case we should have no speeding on roads now.

The_Nipper_One · 30-04-2013 12:17AM

Kind of a non issue if you obey the limits.

Mr Simpson · 30-04-2013 12:38AM

pmcmahon wrote: »

I call bollocks on that,if that's the case we should have no speeding on roads now.

A. I said should, not does

B. They arent hidden 99% of the time

C. The speed traps are nearly always in the same place

Oral Surgeon · 30-04-2013 02:00AM

Hootanany wrote: »

That's entrapment

No, this is entrapment

http://getvideoartwork.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=95396&g2_serialNumber=1

Anan1 · 30-04-2013 08:49AM

ted1 wrote: »

you don't recieve the ticket till after the offence has ben comitted and no one else knows.

by being visible, you slow down and don't commit and offence neither do the thousands of other drivers.

its abous preventing speeding, not dealing with the aftermath.

Take it from an habitual speeder that penalty points work, visible speed traps/friendly words/slaps on the wrist do not. Your argument above would only make sense if there were visible speed traps everywhere.

pmcmahon wrote: »

I call bollocks on that,if that's the case we should have no speeding on roads now.

You're confusing deterrence with prevention.

Barcafan11 · 30-04-2013 08:58AM

Surely they wouldn't be speed traps if you could see them. I would have thought thats the whole point of them. Apart from the few permanent speed cameras that are left, you just never know where they are going to be. I was caught speeding about 9 years ago by a speed trap and once bitten twice shy. €60 fine and 2 points. If they were easily visible people would obviously spot them and slow down. No lessons learned that way.

ironclaw · 30-04-2013 09:11AM

What if a lunatic was driving behind you at a ridiculous speed and a collision was imminent. There's always grey area's, especially in Ireland

Are you suggesting one should speed up? Increase speed? To avoid a collision?

Those 'what if's' and 'maybes' are the rare, far out examples and for a judge to decide in court if needed. I'm talking about normal, every day driving such as overtaking. The chances of you being caught for speeding during such a short lived, emergency scenario are slim and it would be for the consideration of the Garda involved. Who to be fair would probably take such considerations on board. Getting done for speeding while overtaking is not such a scenario. Its called a speed limit for a reason.

I'm actually struggling to find a scenario where you would need to increase speed to improve the outcome or safety of a situation. Rushing someone to hospital is the only one I can think of.

kirving · 30-04-2013 09:23AM

Did noone else get the entrapment joke?

GavRedKing · 30-04-2013 09:39AM

There's a certain place around my area where you come off a slight bend and into a downhill, straight section of road, about 500m away there is a wall where a Garda with a speed gun is reguarly behind pointing the gun up towards the hill, its a 50kmh zone most people coming around the bend would be doing in and around the 50-80kmh.

You literally could not see it until it's too late, sneaky but it's made sure anytime I'm on that stretch of road I'm watching my speed.

cup of tea · 30-04-2013 10:29AM

In my experience Gardaí love walls. First occasion was out by Bantry, there he was crouched behind the wall with the gun ballanced on top of the wall...gas man!. 2nd time was in Killarney, there was a gap in one of the stone walls, enough for one of the Guards to slide into...and so he did! with an outstretched arm holding the spped gun. Crouching garda, hidden speedgun.

Barcafan11 · 30-04-2013 10:40AM

They used to have one outside the Hazel Hotel in Kildare town catching people approaching the town. There is a huge sign advertising the entertainment in the hotel, and the car would be parked behind it out of sight. Sneaky Sneaky.

ironclaw · 30-04-2013 10:52AM

Anytime I'm driving in hotspot's I'm always checking bus shelters, low walls or signage for the yellow high vis. A Garda will also rarely shoot into the sun (As sunlight affects that particular band of laser) Annoys me greatly when they flip the advantage in their favor and shoot as you drive into the sun. Double sneaky.

stoneill · 30-04-2013 11:24AM

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Did noone else get the entrapment joke?

no.

Valetta · 30-04-2013 11:32AM

ironclaw wrote: »

Anytime I'm driving in hotspot's I'm always checking bus shelters, low walls or signage for the yellow high vis. A Garda will also rarely shoot into the sun (As sunlight affects that particular band of laser) Annoys me greatly when they flip the advantage in their favor and shoot as you drive into the sun. Double sneaky.

Much easier to check your speedo, IMO.

Iwannahurl · 30-04-2013 11:38AM

ironclaw wrote: »

Anytime I'm driving in hotspot's I'm always checking bus shelters, low walls or signage for the yellow high vis.

Marsden wrote: »

Having to stare down at your speedometer every minute doesn't increase road safety, it just makes it worse.

Where should drivers be directing their attention?

Marsden · 30-04-2013 12:27PM

ironclaw wrote: »

Are you suggesting one should speed up? Increase speed? To avoid a collision?

Those 'what if's' and 'maybes' are the rare, far out examples and for a judge to decide in court if needed. I'm talking about normal, every day driving such as overtaking. The chances of you being caught for speeding during such a short lived, emergency scenario are slim and it would be for the consideration of the Garda involved. Who to be fair would probably take such considerations on board. Getting done for speeding while overtaking is not such a scenario. Its called a speed limit for a reason.

I'm actually struggling to find a scenario where you would need to increase speed to improve the outcome or safety of a situation. Rushing someone to hospital is the only one I can think of.

I thought there were no grey area's. For everyday driving though I agree with you, I don't mind the introduction of penalty points, lowering speed limits on certain roads and random breath tests if they save lives. I always thought it ironic that after reports on rising fatalities on Irish roads, a disproportionate amount which would occur on dangerous country blackspots, the speeds around Dublin would be reduced and extra speed traps would be set up. Has anyone here managed to do the speed limit on the quays. It's not easy to keep a car under 30.

ironclaw · 30-04-2013 12:37PM

Marsden wrote: »

I thought there were no grey area's.

Stay under the bridge, I clearly explained my viewpoint on it :rolleyes:

Has anyone here managed to do the speed limit on the quays. It's not easy to keep a car under 30.

Its a stupidly low speed limit but not impossible to keep to. Going in the direction of O'Connel Bridge to Guinness's isn't all that long and its known to be an enforcement hotspot. Anyone caught there is a lemon.

Where should drivers be directing their attention?

On the road. But being aware of 'the road' isn't just the car directly in front of you. Its the previous 4 cars you passed and the 10 cars ahead. Whats the first driver in the queue doing? Is that car in lane 1 going to jump across to lane 3? The junction, the up coming lights etc etc. Its global awareness and anticipation. Most drivers just can't do it, they're focus is that one car in their tunnel vision.

Once you got that, keeping an eye out for high vis jackets, unmarked Mondeo's, Avensis, Vovlo's, Subaru's etc is absolute second nature

Marsden · 30-04-2013 01:10PM

ironclaw wrote: »

Stay under the bridge, I clearly explained my viewpoint on it :rolleyes:

Not trolling at all, just pointing out that there's rarely a case of black in white in law. Which works out great for solicitors.:cool:

Ilik Urgee · 30-04-2013 01:15PM

ironclaw wrote: »

There's no grey area. You can never, ever exceed the speed limit. If your doing 119km/h and someone wants to overtake you, they can legally do a maximum of 120km/h to do it.

Didn't know this.
I always get the overtake done as quickly as possible and revert back down to the limit afterwards.

Oral Surgeon · 30-04-2013 01:29PM

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Did noone else get the entrapment joke?

Yeah, thought this tread was getting a bit serious, still is.... Lighten up lads....

Anan1 · 30-04-2013 01:39PM

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

Yeah, thought this tread was getting a bit serious, still is.... Lighten up lads....

Maybe we should all post stupid pictures and never discuss anything?

uck51js9zml2yt · 30-04-2013 02:06PM

Before the bypasses from limerick to tralee I often saw them in ditches and up trees.
Rathkeale was notorious for hiding in the hedge.

Zubeneschamali · 30-04-2013 02:12PM

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Where should drivers be directing their attention?

There's a big window in front of the driver; that's where they should direct most of their attention while moving forwards, but some attention should also be paid to the view in their mirrors, so that they are aware of what's going on behind and around them.

CommanderC · 30-04-2013 02:14PM

Hootanany wrote: »

I have never recieved points, but i was done before the points came in overtaking very slow vehicles on the Cavan bypass 3 mph above the limit.
I asked Garda am i allowed to go over the limit when overtaking, was told to pay ip as its a grey area.

They were going very slow, yet you had to break the speed limit to overtake them ?

Iwannahurl · 30-04-2013 02:48PM

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

There's a big window in front of the driver; that's where they should direct most of their attention while moving forwards.

Good point.

ironclaw wrote: »

Anytime I'm driving in hotspot's I'm always checking bus shelters, low walls or signage for the yellow high vis.

Fred Swanson · 30-04-2013 02:50PM

This post has been deleted.

Anan1 · 30-04-2013 03:01PM

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

* yawns *

ironclaw · 30-04-2013 03:30PM

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Good point.

Why do you keep quoting me?

Garda visibility at speed traps?

Comments