THE NUMBER of motorists caught speeding has almost doubled in recent months, with more than 1,000 drivers now being caught every day, new Garda figures reveal.
If recent detection rates continue, the revenue generated from speeding fines will reach €20 million this year. The sharp increase has followed the introduction of new mobile and in-car Garda speed camera systems across the country.
These will be in use over the bank holiday weekend as the 1,200-strong Garda Traffic Corps embarks on a major speeding enforcement campaign aimed at halting road deaths.
Drug-driving is also being targeted after an 80 per cent surge in the number of cases detected (815 incidents) in the 12 months ended June 30th. However, gardaí believe speed is still the biggest factor in collisions.
In the first five months of this year, some 106,396 motorists were caught speeding, compared with 78,004 in the same period last year, a nearly 40 per cent increase.
However, during some months since the start of the year, speeding detections have more than doubled.
In March, there were 35,828 detections compared with 16,623 in March 2008 – a rise of 115 per cent. In April, there were 36,758 detections compared with 16,910 in the same month last year – a 117 per cent jump.
Total detections for the three months to the end of May were 93,673, compared with 53,152 for the same period last year, an almost 80 per cent increase.
Those caught speeding are liable for an €80 fine and two penalty points. If the fine is not paid within 28 days, the fine and points are doubled. Garda sources said the introduction of eight new vans with speeding cameras accounted for almost all of the detection increase.
There is now one van permanently in all six Garda regions. The remaining two are moved between divisions for specialist short-term targeted operations in problem areas.
At present, one of the “floating” vans is in Co Donegal, where an operation is under way to detect so-called “boy racers” speeding in modified vehicles. Informed sources said some of the increase in detections is also attributable to the new automatic number-plate recognition cameras being installed in Garda cars. These automatically flag speeding cars, and those untaxed or reported stolen.
