The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has declared that average-speed cameras will start tracking motorists on the N5 in County Mayo and the N3 in County Cavan starting from Friday. These new “average safety cameras” (ASCs) will operate in dual directions at two locations – between Lislackagh and Cuilmore in Swinford, County Mayo, and between Kilduff and Billis in County Cavan.
These ASCs will evaluate the amount of time a vehicle takes to traverse from one camera to another and thus determine if the vehicle was speeding.
At present, these cameras are already functional in the M50 Port Tunnel and the M7 between junctions 26 and 27. Research shows a positive correlation between these cameras and a decrease in the rate and severity of car accidents.
In countries such as Norway and Sweden, evidence supports ASC’s ability to cut road fatalities by 38 to 49 per cent. Since 2022, over 22,500 fixed-charge notices of €160 and penalty points have resulted from the ASC’s on the M7. In the case of the Port Tunnel, this number is approximately 7,000.
At present, ASC-related speeding offenses result in three penalty points. “Technology can be an essential tool in altering driving habits,” stated Ms McEntee as she announced the new installations.
According to the Garda Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing, Paula Hilman, the two locations were chosen due to their high incident rate involving injuries and fatalities.
Six new static speed cameras are set to become operational by the end of this year, with a further three due for installation in the first quarter of 2025, Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, added.