Gardai are having difficulty detecting speeding motorcyclists. "There is a challenge in relation to speed detection for the Gardai because of the speed they drive at and the smaller number plates," says Chief Supt Denis Fitzpatrick of the traffic unit. Patricia Weston reports.
"However, we are focussed on making extra spot checks and we'll persist, we'll keep at them and target them because it's in their own interest."
Irish motorcycle deaths have risen dramatically this year. "Fatalities are up this year because of motorcyclists' behaviour and their excessive speed," says Fitzpatrick.
One motorcyclist, speaking to Motors said: "It's virtually impossible to get caught speeding. The only way you can get caught is if the gardai stop you before you hare off down the motorway - but they can't stop you while you're doing over 100 mph."
The chief superintendent Fitzpatrick sees motorcyclists as having "a different mentality than car drivers - they are more vulnerable on the road and they must realise this."
Detection devices used in the Republic include the "hairdryer-shaped" radar gun, as well as the laser gun which is mounted on a tripod and placed at the side of the road. In addition, there's the "Gatso", a device placed in unmarked Garda vans or in a metal box at the side of the road. The Garda also have speed detection equipment with video recording capacity in unmarked cars which patrol the roads behind potential speeders.
However, it emerged recently that only three of the 20 fixed speeding cameras are operational at any one time. They are rotated between 20 fixed boxes.
"The number of motorcycle fatalities is a cause for concern," according to Pat Costello, chief executive of the National Safety Council (NSC). "Almost one motorcyclist a week has died on our roads since the beginning of the year."
According to Brian Farrell, communications executive of the NSC, "motorcycle fatalities are higher in the good weather. We've had a mild spring and a good summer so bikers are bringing their bikes out earlier. Many are fair weather bikers and this, along with inadequate training causes more accidents."
Karen Kiely of the Irish Motorcyclists Action Group (MAG Ireland) believes "most motorbike accidents are caused by cars so there is a need for greater education for car drivers."
According to the NSC collision statistics in 2001, bikers are more likely to come off their bikes in urban areas because cars or vans fail to anticipate their presence. "Bikers are killed in rural areas because of the high speed they are travelling at and their lack of adequate training," adds Mr Farrell.
In Northern Ireland motorcycle deaths have tripled in the past two years, according to official figures. The toll has risen by a third from a year ago. A total of 16 bikers have been killed so far, compared to six in 2001.
The PSNI does not have a specific campaign to target speeding motorcyclists. "The PSNI is trying to reduce speeds in all vehicles, it's not particularly targeting motorbikes," said a spokesperson. The force is trying to create awareness to prevent speed rather than catch speeders. its campaign informs drivers of the location of its mobile speed cameras.