Motorists flaunt speed limit
Almost 3,500 speeding detections have been made on the Nenagh-Limerick section of the M7 since the new average speed camera system went into operation last April.
Introduced in response to the high volume of accidents on the local stretch of the motorway, the constantly operating speed detection system notes the time a vehicle passes first one and then a second point, allowing the system to calculate an average speed of travel.
The Garda Press Office this week confirmed a total of 3,492 speeding detections made by the new cameras up to the end of August. These include both eastbound and westbound directions. Resulting from these, 1,901 fines have been paid or are awaiting payment clearance stage.
A further 960 are still within the active interval for payment or awaiting receipt of notifications.
A total of 470 court summonses have been issued in cases where fines have not been paid. The garda figures also show that at least 19 drivers were detected travelling in excess of 150kmph in the 120kmph zone.
A garda spokesperson said the average speed camera system is about safety and “is not a revenue-generating exercise”.
The monetary fine is dependent on the payment period applicable and, ultimately, any fine imposed in the district court.
An €80 fine, together with three penalty points, is imposed within the first 28-day payment period; a €120 fine is imposed if the fine is paid within the second 28-day payment period; a €160 fine (twice the sum of the original fine) can be paid up to seven days before the court date in circumstances where a court summons has been generated. If convicted in the district court, a fine of up to €1,000 can be imposed at the discretion of the court, along with five penalty points.
The Nenagh-Birdhill section of the M7 is a known speeding blackspot. In 2020, there were a total of 357 speeding detections made in the vicinity of this section.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland said this type of driver behaviour was very dangerous, and was compounded during rain or hail showers, increasing the potential of serious accidents. Analysis of speed data on the M7 corridor since 2017 identified speeding as a significant issue with some 40 per cent of drivers exceeding the 120km/h speed limit on certain sections.
In a statement, an Garda Síochána said it is "satisfied that the current operation of the average speed cameras on the M7 is providing a valuable contribution towards reducing fatal and serious injury collisions and ensuring overall compliance with road traffic legislation.
"We will continue to work with our partners in the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and local authorities to ensure that Ireland’s road network is as safe as possible for all road users."