Gardaí adopt zero tolerance on 30mph limit

GARDAÍ have adopted a zero tolerance-type approach to speeding after it emerged almost half of motorists in Dublin are still breaking the law in built-up areas.

Garda figures show while the introduction of penalty points has led to a significant fall in speeding in 50mph and 60mph areas, it has had less impact in 30mph zones.

The number of drivers speeding in 50mph and 60mph areas fell from 34% before penalty points were introduced to 20% afterwards - a reduction of more than 40%.

But in built-up areas the fall was far less, dropping from 56% before penalty points to 47% afterwards - a drop of just 16%.

“There has been a substantial drop in 50mph and 60mph speed limit areas, but not so much at basic levels in built-up areas,” said Supt Liam Collins, of the Dublin Divisional Traffic Unit.

To combat this, gardaí in Dublin are no longer applying the threshold of 38mph in 30mph areas. This threshold allowed them to exercise discretion in issuing speeding fines.

They will now issue speeding fines to any driver exceeding the 30mph limit - even if it is by just 1mph.

Garda authorities have demanded “strict compliance” from officers.

Many traffic gardaí fear the zero tolerance approach may alienate them from the public. They also point out speedometers in cars are not calibrated and can be up to 5%-10% inaccurate.

Conor Faughnan, of the Automobile Association, also criticised the move. “There is a danger that public cynicism might set in. The public has been very positive to the introduction of penalty points, but this measure could jeopardise that,” he said.

Mr Faughnan said the main problem was that many speed limits were set too low, particularly 30mph limits.

“If the public are to take speed limits seriously, people who set them must take it seriously. The road network is peppered with inappropriate and silly speed limits.

“These are not the places to concentrate speed enforcement. Garda resources should be concentrated where accidents occur,” he said.

But Supt Collins said gardaí did not make the laws, they just enforced them.

“People are dying as a result of speeding, I make no apology for implementing the law.”

He said many of the 30mph speed limit areas have a high concentration of pedestrians.