Wexford councillor wonders if speed detection vans are for our protection or cash collection

Recounting a recent trip along a stretch of motorway which saw him pass several GoSafe speed vans within a short time period, a Wexford councillor has questioned whether their main objective is actually saving lives on our roads or generating money.

At recent Joint Policing Committee meeting, Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Sullivan urged gardaí to be more strategic in where GoSafe vans were set up.

“I have an issue with speed vans on motorways,” he said. “I read somewhere that only 1.8% of our road deaths take place on motorways. Yet there seems to be a big focus on putting them there.

“I’m not saying there’s no need for them, far from it. But in my opinion they could be in better places, I’d nearly have one permanently between Scarawalsh and Carlow. When I first came to Wexford 37 years ago I remember a young boy was killed on the road there just outside Bunclody and there’s been several incidents since.

“I’d wonder whether these companies are running speed vans as revenue collectors rather than to prevent road deaths. If it were up to me anyway, I’d have one near permanently on that road to Carlow and maybe the Chief Super would keep that in mind the next time he sits down the people from the RSA (Road Safety Authority).”

Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy agreed.

“I’d much rather see speed vans outside of schools than on motorways,” she said.

Chief Supt Derek Hughes told the JPC members that gardaí can submit an area for tasking to GoSafe.

“Risk assessments etc would have to be carried out,” he said. “But we can certainly make recommendations. We’ll have a roads policing Inspector from March 24 and we’ll set up a line of communication with local reps so that you can give feedback on areas that you feel need to be covered.”

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