An Garda Síochána has confirmed that Donegal is to be one of the locations of the nine new static speed safety cameras being rolled out nationwide.
The device will be located on the N14, ‘east of Letterkenny’ along the main Manor Roundabout to Lifford road, and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.
Road users will be advised of the location of static speed safety cameras through road signage.
“Static-speed safety cameras have been proven internationally to reduce speeding. Speeding is one of the main contributors to road deaths,” a garda spokesperson said.
The other cameras will be located on the N59 (Galway), N25 (Waterford), R772 (Wicklow), N80 (Carlow), Dublin (Dolphin’s Barn), N17 (Mayo), N22 (Cork) and N69 (Limerick).
The locations were selected based on fatal and serious injury collision data from the last seven years and speed data, as well as feedback from stakeholders.
The nine static speed cameras are being funded from the Garda budget at a cost of approximately €2.4 million over the next 18 months.
These cameras will join the average speed cameras for the N3 (Butler’s Bridge), N5 (Swinford), and N2 (Slane), which are expected to be operational in early Q4 2024. There are also 55 safety cameras currently operated via GoSafe vans; this will increase to 58 in the coming weeks.
In addition, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has requested that Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing develop a business case for the introduction of a further 100 static speed cameras.
Speaking today, Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman, said, “Static speed safety cameras have been proven in other countries to be highly effective in changing driver behaviour and reducing speed, which is a key contributor to road deaths. Speed cameras slow drivers down. The lower speeds people drive at, the lower the number of road deaths.”
According to the Institute of Transport Economics, Norway, there were statistically significant reductions in collisions within 1 km downstream and 100 metres upstream of a static speed camera location.
The average speed cameras on the M7 and Port Tunnel have already proven effective in reducing speed.
As with GoSafe vans, drivers detected by static speed cameras breaking the speed limit on that road will be automatically issued a fixed charge penalty notice.
“This is another example of An Garda Síochána investing in technology to support road safety.”
“Following additional Government funding for Go Safe hours in 2023, An Garda Síochána has committed €5.1 million to increase the hours of operation of GoSafe detection vans, with a focus on locations with high levels of collisions for the next 18 months from May 2024 to October 2025.”
The locations for the nine static speed safety cameras are:
Galway, N59, between Moycullen and Galway City
Waterford, N25, between Glenmore and Luffany
Wicklow, R772, Arklow Road, Aske, north of Gorey
Donegal, N14, east of Letterkenny
Carlow, N80, between Barristown and Levitstown
Dublin, Crumlin Road/Parnell Road/Dolphin Road/Dolphin’s Barn Junction
Mayo, N17, northeast of Claremorris
Cork, N22, east of Lissarda, west of Ovens
Limerick, N69, east of Askeaton.