Accident blackspot where five young people died in Carlow gets static safety camera
Sarah Slater
An accident blackspot where five young people lost their lives and several others were seriously injured in Co Carlow at a spot has a new static safety camera in place.
The camera starts operating on Friday at Graiguenaspiddoge, Co Carlow along the N80. Vehicles detected driving in excess of the posted speed limit will be subject to prosecution from 12pm.
Those caught exceeding the speed limit will be issued a Fixed Charge Notice fine of €160 along with three penalty points.
Last January, Bhargav Chitturi (23) and Suresh Cherukuri (24) died when the car they were travelling in crashed on the N80 in Leagh, Rathoe, at about 1:15am.
Two other passengers, a man and woman in their 20s, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The crash occurred on the first anniversary of the deaths of three friends killed in another fatal collision along the same stretch of road.
Katie Graham (19) from Arles in Co Laois, Daryl Culbert (21) from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow, and Michael Kelly (25) from Nurney in Co Carlow, all died in a car crash in Carlow on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024. Another man, who was a passenger in the car, suffered serious injuries.
Several other people have died or been injured around the same spot over the past number of years.
Speaking at the time of this year’s fatal crash, local Fianna Fáil councillor John Pender said the bend where the crash took place “can be difficult to navigate”.
Cllr Pender explained that Carlow County Council has improved parts of that particular part of the road over the last year with signage.
He added that the council has submitted plans to An Bord Pleanála to realign the road but it may be some time before those upgrades can be completed.
“The plan is to upgrade the road from Glynn’s Cross close to the Fighting Cocks up to the Tinryland roundabout.”
The council is waiting to hear back from An Bord Pleanála about whether the upgrades will get the go-ahead.
“Then the process of tendering etc will have to be carried out,” Cllr Pender continued.
“What is really needed is a motorway as that is an extremely busy road due to heavy traffic coming from, and going to, Rosslare Purport. Every single junction and entrance along it is very dangerous, especially if a vehicle is turning right.” He pointed out that action needed to be taken sooner rather than later.
Static safety cameras have been proven internationally to reduce speeding. Static safety cameras are now operational on the N17 Mayo, N59 Galway, N13 Donegal, N69 Limerick, R772 Wexford and the N22 Cork.
First introduced in the Dublin Port Tunnel and on the M7, five Average Safety Cameras are also operational which includes the N3 Cavan, N5 Mayo and N2 Meath.
