16 new speed camera zones on the roads of Westmeath

Sixteen new speed camera zones have been introduced on Westmeath roads without warning signs for approaching motorists.

The new zones were introduced following a review by An Garda Síochána, which also saw the removal of 16 zones around the county. Nationally, 903 new zones have been introduced, while 575 have been removed. Overall, there are now 1,322 zones nationwide.

Gardaí say that the removal of the zones indicates improved driver behaviour at those locations, based on the analysis of fatal and injury collision data from January 2016 to December 2018.

Enforcement at the new zones began Monday, February 17, at 6am. Three of the 24 speed camera zones in Westmeath are on motorways, nine are on national roads, 11 are on regional roads and one is on a local road.

Warning signs were installed on the approaches to speed camera zones when the system operated by GoSafe was introduced in 2010. However, no warning signs have been installed on the approaches to the new zones, as gardaí want drivers to focus on speed limit signs.

In a statement on Friday, An Garda Síochána said that since the safety cameras were introduced they have prevented 71 deaths and that while the fine income covers less than half of the system’s operating costs, the benefits outweigh the expense by more than five to one.

Superintendent Tony Lonergan of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said that it’s important that motorists find out where the speed camera zones are in their locality. “There is no doubt these safety cameras save lives. Saving lives and preventing injuries is one of our top priorities and we urge every driver to become familiar with the full list of speed enforcement zones, available on the garda website. We appeal to all drivers to drive safely, complying with posted speed limit signs not just for the GoSafe zones but for the duration of their journeys. Reducing your speed will save lives and make the road safer for all.”

Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said: “Speed remains the single biggest contributory factor to road deaths in this country and is estimated to be a factor in a third of fatal crashes. Driving too fast increases your risk of being involved in a crash and increases the severity of a crash.

“Safety cameras have been in operation in this country for a decade now and are proven lifesavers. Deaths and injuries, as a result of speeding, in collision prone zones where they are located have dropped. I welcome this review of locations by An Garda Síochána, which is based on speed related crash data and I would remind people that the locations can be found on the garda website.

“The locations are also being shared with satellite navigation companies. That’s because this project is about stopping people from speeding not catching people speeding. So there really is no excuse.”

In a statement to the Westmeath Examiner, the PRO of the Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA) Donna Price from Mullingar said that the introduction of more speed camera zones is one part of the solution to improving driver behaviour. Ms Price founded IRVA after her son Darren was killed in a road traffic accident in 2006.

“IRVA welcomes news of an increase in the number of GoSafe cameras which detect drivers breaking the road traffic law, while speeding in areas where death and serious injury have occurred. Evidence has shown that these cameras do help to save lives, and their presence should therefore be welcomed by all of us.

“That said, GoSafe cameras are no substitute for the high visibility presence of the Garda Traffic Corps and they must not replace squad cars out on our roads.

“It’s only when road users can expect to meet with some form of unannounced garda presence regularly on their journeys that they will change their driving behaviour and refrain from taking chances with their lives and the lives of other road users.

“In the absence of this highly visible garda presence, drink and drug driving, distracted driving, use of mobile phones, and other law breaking behaviour, will continue to be rampant. With drivers having little fear of being caught, their law breaking and dangerous behaviour will continue to put all innocent law abiding road users at risk.

“We call for more resources for the gardaí, and in particular the Roads Policing Bureau, to ensure the safety of all road users. We must all play a part in helping to save lives and prevent injury. Drive, so that others survive and let’s all get home safely to our families!”