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The use of speed detection cameras operating on Irish roads is to increase by 20 per cent following agreement between Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to increase funding for GoSafe speed cameras.
An additional €1.2 million is to be allocated towards GoSafe, which provides and operates safety cameras in Ireland.
The funding will increase monitoring hours by the GoSafe cameras by 20 per cent, or an extra 1,500 hours per month until the end of this year. It will bring the number of GoSafe hours up to 9,000 per month.
Minister McEntee has also discussed the increase in GoSafe hours with Minister Jack Chambers, and the two Ministers will meet this week to discuss road safety issues following the worrying increase in road traffic fatalities this year.
Minister McEntee said:
“We have all been shocked by recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities this year after many years of progress in making our roads safer.
“I have been discussing the issue with Commissioner Harris and Minister Chambers and this additional funding will be used to increase the number of speed cameras in operation on our roads.
“Enforcement and deterrence are key for increasing road safety, but they must also be accompanied by greater education and awareness raising, as well as looking at what more we can do across Government to bring down the number of deaths on our roads.
“We all have a role to play in reducing road deaths. Drivers must understand that every time they take to the road, they have a responsibility to themselves, their passengers and other road users, to drive safely.
“This means wearing a seat belt, keeping off the mobile phone, driving at a speed that’s appropriate to the road conditions and within the speed limit, and not driving when under the influence of drink or drugs.
“For the government’s part, we can and will do more on enforcement, education, and awareness-raising, as well as looking at what more we can do across Government to bring down the number of deaths on our roads.”
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations, carried out in partnership with other state agencies, including government departments, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority, and the community, in order to make our roads safer for all.