Gardaí to increase use of mobile safety cameras as 129 road fatalities confirmed so far this year

GARDAÍ are to increase the level of Mobile Safety Cameras as Cork roads are among those with the highest road fatalities this year.

An Garda Síochána has said that road deaths and serious injury collisions are not evenly distributed geographically, with the Cork North and Cork West divisions being among the areas with the highest levels of casualties.

On Irish roads between January 1 and September 8, 2023, there were 119 fatal road traffic collisions. These road incidents have resulted in 129 fatalities.

Just seven divisions have collectively accounted for 67% of all road deaths already in 2023.

These include, Clare/Tipperary (19), Mayo/Roscommon/Longford (16), Meath/Westmeath (12), Galway (12), Kildare/Laois/Offaly (10), Cavan/Monaghan (9) Cork North (6) and Cork West (2).

An Garda Síochána will focus the increased deployment of mobile safety cameras on a risk basis and in the Garda Divisions where there is a higher risk of fatal road traffic collisions occurring.

There will be an additional 4,265 Mobile Safety Camera monitoring hours until end of 2023.

The increased deployment follows the announcement earlier this week that an additional €1.2m is to be allocated towards increasing the presence of cameras. The primary purpose of this deployment will be to reduce speed-related collisions and save lives.

It is hoped that the deployment of additional mobile safety cameras will change road user behaviour and reduce the likelihood of fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions.

Speaking on the increased deployment of Mobile Safety Cameras, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said: “The additional hours are being targeted within the areas where the highest proportion of fatal road collisions are taking place. However Mobile Safety Cameras will continue to operate as normal also throughout the rest of the country.

“Last Monday, on National Slow Down Day, over 865 drivers were detected driving in excess of the speed limit.

“Each individual driver has a responsibility to slow down and not just drive within the speed limit but to the appropriate speed for the road, weather, traffic and vehicle conditions. An Garda Síochána will continue to prioritise our response to the increase in fatalities.”