Two average speed safety cameras have recently been established on the N3 road in County Cavan and the N5 in County Mayo. These systems, differing from static safety camera detections, monitor the pace of a vehicle over a specific distance while the latter measure a driver’s speed at a particular point. The N3 and N5 points have been selected by An Garda Síochána for camera installation due to their record as high collision zones with numerous traffic accidents, which have led to injuries, severe injuries, and fatalities.
Although the cameras are already set up, they will remain inactive for several weeks to allow for setup, trial, and verification processes. The cameras, located between Lislackagh and Cuilmore, Swinford on the N5, and between Kilduff and Billis on the N3, will utilise Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology. This tech will detect drivers who surpass the speed limit, and they will subsequently receive a Fixed Charge Notice and penalty points.
According to a representative from Garda, the introduction of these camera systems seeks to alter driver habits, decrease the average speed of motorists and reduce accident occurrences. It’s envisaged they will also lessen the impact of speed on local communities, thereby making the roads safer for all.
The above steps form part of a wider initiative which includes the introduction of three average safety camera systems and nine static safety cameras on the N3 and N5 roads. The speed factor has been attributed to 30% of all fatal incidents; thus, the Garda are optimistic that these novel systems will mitigate death and serious injuries on the roads in Ireland.
These systems were first launched in the Dublin Tunnel back in 2017, followed by an installation on the M7 spanning between Junction 26 and 27 in 2022.