Speed Cameras

I see the Government have decided to publish the locations of the 600 new speed cameras they plan to put in place – sometime. I think this is a good idea.

The reasons given are credible – the cameras will be located at known danger spots, and are intended to prevent accidents by slowing down motorists. Knowing that you will be caught for points on your licence if you speed through a dangerous section of the road might well slow some people – and the ones who do not slow – and there will be some – are utter fools who need to be put off the road anyway. However, apparently the cameras will only operate intermittently, and people will not know if they are on or off – that seems a bit silly. Have them on all the time, and catch everyone who speeds otherwise the ‘chancers’ will only be encouraged.

Big Question of course is when the cameras will actually be put in place. About 2015 I’d say. The other question is will they work at night, to catch the fools who race home from nightclubs at 4am and contribute most of our road deaths. Probably not,I’D guess. I seem to recall we were promised 2,000 extra Gardai who have not yet appeared, but who would be the real solution to the problems on our roads.