Cork County Council to share traffic speed survey data with gardaí 

Motorists across Co Cork might be advised to slow down, as data from Cork County Council speed surveys are to be given to the gardaí.

The move is likely to result in more ‘targeted’ speed checks by gardaí, and lead to more fixed penalty points, fines, and court appearances.

The local authority regularly carries out its own speed surveys in areas where a need for traffic calming has been highlighted by community groups and councillors.

Until now, the data has not been shared with Gardaí — but that set to change.

Highlighted

For several years, councillors all over the region have been provided with speed surveys carried out by council engineers, which have highlighted dangerous driving, especially through some rural villages.

The surveys do not involve taking pictures of vehicle registration numbers, only monitoring their speed in targeted areas and assessing traffic volumes and non-compliance.

Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Mulcahy, who is based in East Cork, has long sought data sharing.

Last year, it was reported to councillors, following a deputation from the Killeagh-Inch Community Council, that the average speed on the Killeagh-Mogeely road, near the new graveyard, was well in excess of 57km/h, higher than the 50km/h speed limit.

Questioned

Mr Mulcahy subsequently questioned officials on why the data was not shared with the gardaí. He was told that the council had never considered it appropriate to do so.

He raised the issue at a recent East Cork Municipal District meeting.

Senior executive engineer, Dave Clarke, said the local authority is now sharing the data with An Garda Síochána, acknowledging that it would be beneficial for all concerned.

“This change of internal policy has not come quickly enough, in my opinion,” said Mr Mulcahy. 

“The council should have been sharing the data with An Garda Síochána prior to now, and for many years at that.

“It could have never been a GDPR issue, because it was never recording the registration of a vehicle at any time, only the time of the vehicle travelling at a speed through the monitored area. This clearly is another example of how, at times, that State agencies can be locked up in silos.”