What’s the point of fixed speed cameras?

WHAT use are mobile speed cameras if the vans are marked and the gardaí publish their locations?

It is true this will deter speeding at these locations, but assuming each of the 600 locations covers about 200 yards, this means that for 99.9% of the Irish road network of 100,000km, you can be assured you can drive as fast as you like with impunity.

It goes to show the enforcement of speed limits is considered a mere game rather than a matter of life and death.

And why should we accede to AA demands that fines should not be a means of raising revenue? Road accidents cost the general public €2bn a year according to the RSA; using hefty fines to help offset the costs to the health service is better than dismantling it due to lack of money.

Of course the AA is in favour when there is no inconvenience to motorists. The AA represents businesses, not motorists. It is not a state body so why should it be allowed to dominate the media, dictate transport policy and tell people what to think?

We accept the invasion of personal privacy with the use of tiny, hidden surveillance cameras in the street and most buildings, watching every movement we make for trivial reasons, yet baulk at the idea of covert surveillance of traffic to reduce the carnage and enforce the law.

Michael Job,

Glengarriff,

Co Cork