Speeding Q&A superthread

Killinator · 09-03-2021 12:45am

They don't have to stop you with newer guns so I've been told but it makes prosecution easier if they do as they can identify driver and obtain their details

robarmstrong · 15-03-2021 1:12am

Got pulled in doing about 130 on the M50 (finglas to blanch)a few days ago by unmarked car. Didn't see a gun or anything to detect my speed but when asked my speed I did say about 130, to which I was told I was wrong, that I was doing at least 150-160? I know I was over the limit anyways but I haven't received the fine yet (took licence, took registration too) so not sure what the FCPN will say but generally if it's around that speed it's a court summons is it not? Don't mind paying the fine and getting the 3 points but I'm a bit concerned that my speed was guesstimated at a lot higher than what it was? I know for a fact I was doing more than 130, had CC set on the 130 mark..

Has this happened to anyone?

Killinator · 15-03-2021 2:16am

robarmstrong wrote: »

Got pulled in doing about 130 on the M50 (finglas to blanch)a few days ago by unmarked car. Didn't see a gun or anything to detect my speed but when asked my speed I did say about 130, to which I was told I was wrong, that I was doing at least 150-160? I know I was over the limit anyways but I haven't received the fine yet (took licence, took registration too) so not sure what the FCPN will say but generally if it's around that speed it's a court summons is it not? Don't mind paying the fine and getting the 3 points but I'm a bit concerned that my speed was guesstimated at a lot higher than what it was? I know for a fact I was doing more than 130, had CC set on the 130 mark..

Has this happened to anyone?

Gardai can't guess the speed. They have to use a calibrated device, ie: laser.
If they thought you were going that fast but didn't have a gun they could issue a summons for careless driving but it would be in very shaky grounds in court.
If they issue a FCN it must state what speed you were doing not a rough guess.
There is no set speed over a given limit that automatically means court over an FCN. It's up to the garda in question to decide the course of action taken.
They have several months to apply for a fine so you wouldn't have it this soon either way.

Isambard · 17-03-2021 10:23am

Killinator wrote: »

Gardai can't guess the speed. They have to use a calibrated device, ie: laser.
If they thought you were going that fast but didn't have a gun they could issue a summons for careless driving but it would be in very shaky grounds in court.
If they issue a FCN it must state what speed you were doing not a rough guess.
There is no set speed over a given limit that automatically means court over an FCN. It's up to the garda in question to decide the course of action taken.
They have several months to apply for a fine so you wouldn't have it this soon either way.

they have a speedo on the car, which would allow them to form an opinion of what speed was being done, which I believe would be accepted in Court.

Killinator · 17-03-2021 11:05pm

Isambard wrote: »

they have a speedo on the car, which would allow them to form an opinion of what speed was being done, which I believe would be accepted in Court.

It is not an acceptable form of evidence, no.
Speedos on cars vary for all kinds reasons and are generally not 100% accurate and as I've said in a prosecution for a speeding offence the actual speed must be submitted, not an approximation.
You could approximate speed based on observations for inconsiderate, careless or dangerous driving but not speeding.

Yarisbob · 27-03-2021 1:56pm

Feds tailgated me in my beloved Mk1 05 Fabia vRS yesterday on the M6 between Oranmore and Athenry

I was doing an indicated 110km in a 120km - Its probably around 105km.
Inside lane with no other vehicles about.
First thing I see is an ugly snout of a horrible i40 right on my bootlid for about 300m
I slow off to encourage the tailgating driver to overtake
The car draws alongside and 2 feds attempt to stare me down.....!
I take no heed of this unwarranted and unwelcome attention and they go on after about 2km

By engaging in this type of behavior I got the impression the feds were probably under the mistaken assumption that they would get me to floor it then they would secure a handy prosecution. I felt kind of threatened and uneasy

I have it all on both front and rear dash cams. Its really crystal clear, shows bad behavior and I am considering making a complaint regarding this unsavory unprofessional conduct.

Who do I complain to to make as big of a deal of this as I can ...? I am not going to report this to the local cop station as I would prefer to take it well up the ladder and make sure that this is addressed properly by a senior. A slap on the wrist wont cut it this time - I wont be happy until them lads are put on desk duty ...!

Allinall · 27-03-2021 2:03pm

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_A._Wray

He’s your man.

Good luck and God speed.

furiousox · 27-03-2021 2:09pm

Get the DA to bust their asses!

frozenfrozen · 27-03-2021 2:15pm

Yarisbob wrote: »

Feds tailgated me in my beloved Mk1 05 Fabia vRS yesterday on the M6 between Oranmore and Athenry

I was doing an indicated 110km in a 120km - Its probably around 105km.
Inside lane with no other vehicles about.
First thing I see is an ugly snout of a horrible i40 right on my bootlid for about 300m
I slow off to encourage the tailgating driver to overtake
The car draws alongside and 2 feds attempt to stare me down.....!
I take no heed of this unwarranted and unwelcome attention and they go on after about 2km

By engaging in this type of behavior I got the impression the feds were probably under the mistaken assumption that they would get me to floor it then they would secure a handy prosecution. I felt kind of threatened and uneasy

I have it all on both front and rear dash cams. Its really crystal clear, shows bad behavior and I am considering making a complaint regarding this unsavory unprofessional conduct.

Who do I complain to to make as big of a deal of this as I can ...? I am not going to report this to the local cop station as I would prefer to take it well up the ladder and make sure that this is addressed properly by a senior. A slap on the wrist wont cut it this time - I wont be happy until them lads are put on desk duty ...!

Put up the video

coL · 30-03-2021 5:03pm

Allinall wrote: »

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_A._Wray

He’s your man.

Good luck and God speed.

I think going straight to the Director of the FBI is a bit risky, if the feds are here intimidating our citizens chances are he has sanctioned it and is aware of it!!!!

Anyway it wouldn't be the correct procedure. According to https://www.justice.gov/opr/how-file-complaint you can file a complaint at https://oig.justice.gov/reports/component/fbi or otherwise report it to the law enforcement component's internal affairs unit.

Probably no harm report it to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (Ireland) as well. They will be very concerned about agents from a foreign intelligence/security organisation operating in Ireland.

Yarisbob wrote: »

Feds tailgated me in my beloved Mk1 05 Fabia vRS yesterday

Stay frosty my friend and as Q says never let them see you bleed!!

yamaha4life · 01-04-2021 7:21pm

Hey all,

I got notified today that i had a court summons waiting for me at local garda station for speeding fine that was unpaid.

He said it was from January 2018 and gave the reg.

The reg of the car given. i didnt own the car until end of September 2019 and sold it in 2020.

So even if the date is January 2019 I still wasn't the owner of the car! (I know where the previous owner works i cant remember his name but id know him if i saw him)

Not sure what to do here, if its a court date for it i think ill have to get a solicitor.

How should I proceed? how can i prove my innocence?

I can't collect the summons so ill have to wait for it he didn't specify whether it will be an post or a garda that will deliver it.

Killinator · 01-04-2021 8:04pm

yamaha4life wrote: »

Hey all,

I got notified today that i had a court summons waiting for me at local garda station for speeding fine that was unpaid.

He said it was from January 2018 and gave the reg.

The reg of the car given. i didnt own the car until end of September 2019 and sold it in 2020.

So even if the date is January 2019 I still wasn't the owner of the car! (I know where the previous owner works i cant remember his name but id know him if i saw him)

Not sure what to do here, if its a court date for it i think ill have to get a solicitor.

How should I proceed? how can i prove my innocence?

I can't collect the summons so ill have to wait for it he didn't specify whether it will be an post or a garda that will deliver it.

Generally a non payment of a speeding ticket (FCN) will be a yellow summons which will need to be served by a Garda.
Reason being that a load of them were being posted but person then claimed they weren't served in court and there was no proof to contrary so many were struck out.
That said it need not be served on you personally, it can be served on someone else at your address or acting on your behalf (wife, parent,etc..) and this will be noted on summons which is then signed by a peace commissioner or judge to confirm it has been served on or for the accused.

As fir the whole not owning it at that time, that should have been picked up before and fcn was issued?!
Was it a speed van or Garda issuing the ticket?

_Kaiser_ · 01-04-2021 8:29pm

I'd assume the tax office(?) should be able to confirm that you weren't the owner of the car at the time by referencing the VLC?

yamaha4life · 01-04-2021 9:17pm

Killinator wrote: »

As fir the whole not owning it at that time, that should have been picked up before and fcn was issued?!
Was it a speed van or Garda issuing the ticket?

The garda didnt say if it was go safe or garda fine, i was stopped once for speeding in said car, i posted on another person thread that the garda who stopped me couldn't show me my speed on the gun he said the recall wasn't working he spent about 5 mins trying to get it up and couldn't, he said that because if the malfunction he wouldnt be issuing a fine and to keep a closer eye on my speed in future. Be a kick in the pants if this is the time in question. As I have no idea if i was or wasn't speeding at the time.

celticbest · 19-04-2021 9:55am

Was driving the M1 SB yesterday evening and there was a Go Safe van parked up, this lead to three questions,

1. It was parked on one of the ‘Garda Only’ ramps, is this legal?

2. Its Amber roof and rear light beacons were flashing, why was this?

3. If as we’re always told that speed vans are not for revenue then why pick Ireland’s safest type of road instead of some boreen which is far more dangerous.

[IMG][/img]

Vicxas · 19-04-2021 10:36am

To answer your questions.

1: I dont believe they should be using the Garda ramp as they're a private company.
2: If the orange lights were flashing they were in the middle of calibrating the camera, it wasn't live yet
3: You really answered your own question there. Pure money grab

Allinall · 19-04-2021 10:40am

1. They act under the instructions of the gardai, so if they were instructed to park there, then it's legal.
2. No idea.
3. If you weren't speeding, then you're not contributing to their revenue.

magicbastarder · 19-04-2021 11:18am

3. because parking a large white van on a boreen may be awkward and dangerous?

celticbest · 19-04-2021 11:56am

magicbastarder wrote: »

3. because parking a large white van on a boreen may be awkward and dangerous?

Always one.... :rolleyes:

By boreen I meant a single carriage road (R road) such as the R132, R125 or national routes (N roads) like the N51, N72 or N30 or even bigger Local routes (L roads)

Isambard · 19-04-2021 11:57am

yamaha4life wrote: »

Hey all,

I got notified today that i had a court summons waiting for me at local garda station for speeding fine that was unpaid.

He said it was from January 2018 and gave the reg.

The reg of the car given. i didnt own the car until end of September 2019 and sold it in 2020.

So even if the date is January 2019 I still wasn't the owner of the car! (I know where the previous owner works i cant remember his name but id know him if i saw him)

Not sure what to do here, if its a court date for it i think ill have to get a solicitor.

How should I proceed? how can i prove my innocence?

I can't collect the summons so ill have to wait for it he didn't specify whether it will be an post or a garda that will deliver it.

only just saw this, you did check the date I assume?

celticbest · 19-04-2021 11:57am

magicbastarder wrote: »

3. because parking a large white van on a boreen may be awkward and dangerous?

Never said I was, I just had a few questions in relation to why they would set up in such a place and why their beacons were flashing.

magicbastarder · 19-04-2021 12:21pm

celticbest wrote: »

By boreen I meant a single carriage road (R road) such as the R132, R125 or national routes (N roads) like the N51, N72 or N30 or even bigger Local routes (L roads)

OK, you meant boreen in the sense i've never heard anyone use before.

celticbest · 19-04-2021 3:39pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

OK, you meant boreen in the sense i've never heard anyone use before.

I've never seen anyone take something so literally

whiterebel · 20-04-2021 12:45pm

I didn't it this on the main page, so apologies if its been done already: https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/penalty-points-system-faces-constitutional-court-challenge-1114087.html?fbclid=IwAR3NnZg0h_Z4wHCHBz8m-oPb0mMuxXbFxaZng6yUOVog-ngAqbBC1Zogyiw

Good to see people challenge this, utterly ridiculous in this day and age that they don't have to provide proof.

Jim_Hodge · 22-04-2021 9:29pm

celticbest wrote: »

Always one.... :rolleyes:

By boreen I meant a single carriage road (R road) such as the R132, R125 or national routes (N roads) like the N51, N72 or N30 or even bigger Local routes (L roads)

I found that hilarious. I've never heard an R road referred to as a boreen. Your initial post confused me as a boreen is, by definition, a narrow country road or lane. That's a far cry from an R road.

A few Speed vans on the R roads around here from time to time. Never any on the boreens.

Esel · 23-04-2021 12:00am

Jim_Hodge wrote: »

I found that hilarious. I've never heard an R road referred to as a boreen. Your initial post confused me as a boreen is, by definition, a narrow country road or lane. That's a far cry from an R road.

A few Speed vans on the R roads around here from time to time. Never any on the boreens.

Yeah, boreen evokes a single lane road, often with grass growing in the central area, where you would have to slow right down or stop to pass an oncoming vehicle.

tcawley29 · 29-04-2021 2:52am

https://roscommonherald.ie/2021/04/28/judge-reiterates-concerns-about-locations-of-speed-vans-in-roscommon/?fbclid=IwAR1bOClDReN3m68K8N2_rUBK6xV-h4bDOlaLSfv1Cbwk0omwdMPW2xcxzP0

Also, can someone please let me know if it is still the case that gosafe operate between the signs. I've heard otherwise but the source is not reliable so I'm skeptical.

_Kaiser_ · 29-04-2021 7:52am

tcawley29 wrote: »

https://roscommonherald.ie/2021/04/28/judge-reiterates-concerns-about-locations-of-speed-vans-in-roscommon/?fbclid=IwAR1bOClDReN3m68K8N2_rUBK6xV-h4bDOlaLSfv1Cbwk0omwdMPW2xcxzP0

Also, can someone please let me know if it is still the case that gosafe operate between the signs. I've heard otherwise but the source is not reliable so I'm skeptical.

From what I've read here, the councils have actively been removing the warning signs in the last few months.

It's interesting though that some of the judges are now critical of the vans being hidden because the intent is they are a visible deterrent. I wonder if they will apply the same logic to AGS speed traps, the majority of which are hidden or up on motorway on-ramps catching cars passing below them.

Isambard · 29-04-2021 11:32am

i think what happened was the zones were massively increased in length, in some cases combining 2 or more zones. Signs were only needed at the start of the zone, so redundant signs were removed.

tcawley29 · 29-04-2021 2:28pm

Isambard wrote: »

i think what happened was the zones were massively increased in length, in some cases combining 2 or more zones. Signs were only needed at the start of the zone, so redundant signs were removed.

can anyone confirm this?

zg3409 · 29-04-2021 3:29pm

tcawley29 wrote: »

Also, can someone please let me know if it is still the case that gosafe operate between the signs. I've heard otherwise but the source is not reliable so I'm skeptical.

They updated the gosafe zones on garda.ie a few years ago and said the zone start signs would no longer be used or updated. They need to stay in the zones on the website, typically at exact same spot each time. They also can cover road works, typically long term reduced speed limit on main roads. I have seen them do this.

The garda can go anywhere and in the past at least they had fixed vans with garda written on them, unlike gosafe. I have not seen these in years, likely not used anymore. The gardai have new speed guns with cameras built in. They don't need to stop you. They have much longer range than vans and can use overhead bridges and click away.

Darc19 · 30-04-2021 7:05am

zg3409 wrote: »

They updated the gosafe zones on garda.ie a few years ago and said the zone start signs would no longer be used or updated. They need to stay in the zones on the website, typically at exact same spot each time. They also can cover road works, typically long term reduced speed limit on main roads. I have seen them do this.

The garda can go anywhere and in the past at least they had fixed vans with garda written on them, unlike gosafe. I have not seen these in years, likely not used anymore. The gardai have new speed guns with cameras built in. They don't need to stop you. They have much longer range than vans and can use overhead bridges and click away.

The new equipment certainly has a longer range of 1200m and phenomenal accuracy, but the photographic element is much shorter at 150m

The_Kitty · 07-05-2021 9:49am

newmember? wrote: »

After getting done 59 in a 50 I've revised my internal leeway theory to 10%...

Did you go past it over the limit or had you slowed down before you reached it? Wondering about the range

FileNotFound · 07-05-2021 9:52am

The_Kitty wrote: »

Did you go past it over the limit or had you slowed down before you reached it? Wondering about the range

Always heard when you see it its too late and in many cases the view range is quite short.

I have slowed when I have seen them on motorways and not been done - distance would be hard to guage.

Rowley Birkin QC · 07-05-2021 9:55am

I've started using the Waze app on all my journeys since picking up a stack of penalty points (no complaints!) last year. Notified me of 3x checkpoints and speed vans on a trip last weekend.

_Kaiser_ · 07-05-2021 9:55am

FileNotFound wrote: »

Once again I have heard "that they get you both ways" - but in my experience it has never been the case.

And i have properly sped passed vans on the other side of the road.

The vans only take pictures/measurements at the rear. That means you need to be approaching the back of the van, or passing it on the other side of the road to be caught.

FileNotFound wrote: »

Always heard when you see it its too late and in many cases the view range is quite short.

I have slowed when I have seen them on motorways and not been done - distance would be hard to guage.

You need to be practically beside the back of the van to be caught as they have a very limited range to take pictures in.

DuckSlice · 07-05-2021 9:56am

FileNotFound wrote: »

Always heard when you see it its too late and in many cases the view range is quite short.

I have slowed when I have seen them on motorways and not been done - distance would be hard to guage.

I always heard that as soon as you see them get on the brakes as they are set up to get the car quite close to the van, 50 meters was mentioned. How true this is i don't know. It was told to me by a Garda, but how much they know about them i don't know either.

The_Kitty · 07-05-2021 10:02am

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

The vans only take pictures/measurements at the rear. That means you need to be approaching the back of the van, or passing it on the other side of the road to be caught.

You need to be practically beside the back of the van to be caught as they have a very limited range to take pictures in.

I was wondering if they are measuring speed say for 50-100m or more and they take the pic when you are close couldnt they still know you were speeding before they take the photo? Because what you're saying would mean you'd have to pass them still speeding to be caught?

Mimon · 07-05-2021 10:10am

I'm sure they take road conditions into consideration. If very wet or foggy they will be generally stricter than if a dry day with good visibility.

My source for this is reading it here so don't take as gospel.

Have passed Gardai with the speed gun doing 130 before with no consequence, presume 130 on my speedo is something just over 120 in reality?

FileNotFound · 07-05-2021 10:35am

I did go on a Safety Rep course with a GoSafe driver, only got to chat to him a small bit.

He said that they submit all the over limit readings to Gardai with info on traffic volume and weather and an office in the Gardai decide who gets a fine.. So in theory he reported everyone who was even 1km over.

Really wish i had gotten more info out of the chap. He did say that at the time less than half the vans on the road were actively catching people - apparently lots of the vans are doing market research essentially - they have an agreed limit on the number of active vans at any one time or such.

This was all a good 6+ yrs ago so lots may have changed since then

frozenfrozen · 07-05-2021 10:36am

Mimon wrote: »

I'm sure they take road conditions into consideration. If very wet or foggy they will be generally stricter than if a dry day with good visibility.

My source for this is reading it here so don't take as gospel.

Have passed Gardai with the speed gun doing 130 before with no consequence, presume 130 on my speedo is something just over 120 in reality?

125kmh on dash is gps 120 in my car anyway

FileNotFound · 07-05-2021 10:38am

frozenfrozen wrote: »

125kmh on dash is gps 120 in my car anyway

Mine is about the same - I think all cars are built with the speedometers being a little optimistic. Have never had a car that was going faster than the speedometer said.

Miscreant · 07-05-2021 10:52am

etxp wrote: »

I always heard that as soon as you see them get on the brakes as they are set up to get the car quite close to the van, 50 meters was mentioned. How true this is i don't know. It was told to me by a Garda, but how much they know about them i don't know either.

Might explain why a lot of people jam on the brakes when there is even a mere whiff of a speed van in the distance. If you are within the limit, there is absolutely no need to slow down. I have seen people apply their brakes at 100kph on the motorway to slow down, despite the limit being 120 where they are. The same goes for staying behind a Garda car on the motorway when they are clearly below the posted limit. I always see convoys of cars behind them where people are afraid to overtake.... If you are within the posted limit, you have nothing to fear, go ahead and overtake the Garda car.

By all means, pay attention to the road and keep an eye out for speed cameras and if you want to exceed the limit, then fire away (it is your choice). Some of the knee-jerk reactions to speed vans I see from drivers out there makes me wonder what is going through their mind at the time. It is obviously not a fear of speeding... it is a fear of being caught.

The_Kitty · 07-05-2021 12:30pm

FileNotFound wrote: »

I did go on a Safety Rep course with a GoSafe driver, only got to chat to him a small bit.

He said that they submit all the over limit readings to Gardai with info on traffic volume and weather and an office in the Gardai decide who gets a fine.. So in theory he reported everyone who was even 1km over.

Really wish i had gotten more info out of the chap. He did say that at the time less than half the vans on the road were actively catching people - apparently lots of the vans are doing market research essentially - they have an agreed limit on the number of active vans at any one time or such.

This was all a good 6+ yrs ago so lots may have changed since then

Yes, its all kind of a mystery isnt it! Like if you dont get the fine it could be cos it wasnt active at the time, the range or you werent actually speeding. I have only got one fine years ago and that time i definitely drove past the van speeding.

Jeremy Sproket · 07-05-2021 2:26pm

Whocare wrote: »

Anyone know how quickly do sent out fine

Lewis_Benson wrote: »

What?

You know exactly what they meant.

The_Kitty · 07-05-2021 2:30pm

Jeremy Sproket wrote: »

You know exactly what they meant.

Within a month its supposed to be.

FileNotFound · 07-05-2021 2:33pm

Always hear that it should be withing 2 weeks - assume a month would still be realistic, after that I suppose the odds are you are in the clear.

Then again no doubt there are stories of much longer waits

Jaqueline Monedula · 25-05-2021 6:09pm

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone is able to help. I've also posted in the speed camera megathread, which seemed to stop in 2020, whereas this one's more up to date, however if anyone can help specifically with the following I'd be grateful:

Scenario:

Drishane Road, Millstreet, Cork coming away from centre towards Drishane Castle.
I come round a corner past the Dairygold co-op, and spot Garda Traffic 4x4 sitting at the far end of the road just where it turns left to the cemetery so it is facing a long straight stretch out of front windscreen, and out of side windows.
For some reason I decided that doing 55/56kph was fine, and carried on until my brain kicked in and as I got really close to the marked 4x4 I was doing 49/50kph. Don't ask, just stressed about covid in family and not paying detailed attention to my speed. I'm normally a bit neurotic about it tbh.

I looked at the Gard in the front seat as I got close (could only see one Gard) and he quite frankly had a thousand yard stare on him, and was just looking up the road the way I'd come. Couldn't see anyone round the back of the vehicle skulking.

Questions:

1. Would there likely have been another Gard in the back using a speed camera through the side window which had darkened glass?

2. Do An Garda Siochana use ANPR to catch speeders (presuming all Garda Traffic 4x4s have ANPR systems?). All road tax and insurance and NCT in order.

3. Does a Gard have to be out of the vehicle to use the new speeding cameras or can s/he just lean out of the window and point it at traffic?

and, and this is the question to which I really really would LOVE an answer from either a Gard or an ex-Gard, or someone who truly "knows"

4. How long does it normally/usually take Garda Traffic branch to issue non-intercept FCPNs? I know I've 28 days from the date of issue of the FCPN, but there seems to be absolutely no clarity on how fast the Gardai actually issue the FCPN.

I found something in "the Fixed Charge Processing System" (a report of the AGS Inspectorate) but it dates back to 2014, and is therefore rather out of date "Recommendation 2.6.....The Inspectorate recommends that the Garda Síochána ensure full compliance with the timeframes laid down in the Fixed Charge Processing System policy manual"...... but could I find the Fixed Charge Processing System policy manual? Of course not, it's an internal AGS document I am guessing. So, is there ANY duty upon a Gard to actually get the FCPN out to a person, or can they sit on it for months and months and months, which is most unfair to the driver, in my opinion. Is there a time limit overall? Six months minus 56 days (the 2x 28 days for payment) seems to be a generally held view. My nerves will be shredded by the end of September!

5. It is likely that a traffic corps 4x4 would solely be running ANPR checks (though this refers back to question 2). I don't know what else he would be doing?!

6.I know I know, don't speed, and you won't have all this worry, please don't tell me that, I already know and am beating myself up. I am also aware that my speedo runs somewhat fast....do the Gards have discretion if I was actually doing 51/52 kph (in a 50kph zone)?

Go raibh maith agat / Thanks in advance for your patience with yet another set of speeding questions.

Jaqueline

Killinator · 26-05-2021 7:47pm

1: Possible but not likely, generally they are outside of the vehicle using either a tripod or the vehicle itself for stability.

2: ANPR is not used for catching speeders, however its recording could be used as a proof, eg: dangerous driving in a chase, but it would indicate the speed the patrol vehicle is driving and not an exact speed for the offending vehicle which would be an issue.
But if the patrol vehicle was stationary then it would just show as 0km/h.

3: They could lean out the window

4: Gardai have 107 days to issue an FCN

5: They could be running ANPR solely or just a speed gun or the new mobility app, or all 3 or a combination of the 3

6: Yes we have discretion, general regular Gardai will use a bit more than traffic but I don't know too many who would do you for being 5 or 6 over let alone only 1 or 2 after correction for speedo. A speed van maybe but not a Garda manned vehicle

I wouldn't fret too much, you were probably approaching them at about 51/52 and they weren't bothered with it.

FileNotFound · 27-05-2021 2:57pm

Jaqueline Monedula wrote: »

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone is able to help. I've also posted in the speed camera megathread, which seemed to stop in 2020, whereas this one's more up to date, however if anyone can help specifically with the following I'd be grateful:

Scenario:

Drishane Road, Millstreet, Cork coming away from centre towards Drishane Castle.
I come round a corner past the Dairygold co-op, and spot Garda Traffic 4x4 sitting at the far end of the road just where it turns left to the cemetery so it is facing a long straight stretch out of front windscreen, and out of side windows.
For some reason I decided that doing 55/56kph was fine, and carried on until my brain kicked in and as I got really close to the marked 4x4 I was doing 49/50kph. Don't ask, just stressed about covid in family and not paying detailed attention to my speed. I'm normally a bit neurotic about it tbh.

I looked at the Gard in the front seat as I got close (could only see one Gard) and he quite frankly had a thousand yard stare on him, and was just looking up the road the way I'd come. Couldn't see anyone round the back of the vehicle skulking.

Questions:

1. Would there likely have been another Gard in the back using a speed camera through the side window which had darkened glass?

2. Do An Garda Siochana use ANPR to catch speeders (presuming all Garda Traffic 4x4s have ANPR systems?). All road tax and insurance and NCT in order.

3. Does a Gard have to be out of the vehicle to use the new speeding cameras or can s/he just lean out of the window and point it at traffic?

and, and this is the question to which I really really would LOVE an answer from either a Gard or an ex-Gard, or someone who truly "knows"

4. How long does it normally/usually take Garda Traffic branch to issue non-intercept FCPNs? I know I've 28 days from the date of issue of the FCPN, but there seems to be absolutely no clarity on how fast the Gardai actually issue the FCPN.

I found something in "the Fixed Charge Processing System" (a report of the AGS Inspectorate) but it dates back to 2014, and is therefore rather out of date "Recommendation 2.6.....The Inspectorate recommends that the Garda Síochána ensure full compliance with the timeframes laid down in the Fixed Charge Processing System policy manual"...... but could I find the Fixed Charge Processing System policy manual? Of course not, it's an internal AGS document I am guessing. So, is there ANY duty upon a Gard to actually get the FCPN out to a person, or can they sit on it for months and months and months, which is most unfair to the driver, in my opinion. Is there a time limit overall? Six months minus 56 days (the 2x 28 days for payment) seems to be a generally held view. My nerves will be shredded by the end of September!

5. It is likely that a traffic corps 4x4 would solely be running ANPR checks (though this refers back to question 2). I don't know what else he would be doing?!

6.I know I know, don't speed, and you won't have all this worry, please don't tell me that, I already know and am beating myself up. I am also aware that my speedo runs somewhat fast....do the Gards have discretion if I was actually doing 51/52 kph (in a 50kph zone)?

Go raibh maith agat / Thanks in advance for your patience with yet another set of speeding questions.

Jaqueline

Whenever Gardai Gun you from handheld they tend to stop you and do you at the time. The exceptions to this are when you see a Garda with a big tripod camera job.

As is you are usually actually doing 3-5km/h below the speed you think you are at.

All above taken into account and reading your story you have little to nothing to worry about.

I would not be worried personally, have been in your shoes many times with no issue.

Speeding Q&A superthread

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