Speed camera operators will hit the jackpot
... uneven or potholed surfaces (both perfectly legal), or just a simple lack of concentration (stupid, but not against the law).
The simple fact is that accidents happen. And more are happening every year because there are more cars on the road.
People are forced to spend more time in their cars than ever before either because they live further from their work or because of heavy traffic.
The Government can bombard us through the media, threaten us, fine us and give us penalty points, but there will still be accidents.
While it is right to attempt to prevent as many accidents as possible, I question the motives behind revenue-generating speed cameras.
Current estimates suggest that the camera operators stand to make €70m in revenue in their first year alone.
It seems, as usual, that somebody who is well in is going to make an awful lot of money at the stroke of a ministerial pen.
If the minister had the courage of his convictions, then the addition of speed limiters to every motor vehicle in the country could actually prevent speeding for good.
But guess what? The accidents would probably continue as before.
John Mallon
5 Shamrock Grove
Mayfield
Cork
