Average Safety Camera Detection

What is an average safety camera?

Average safety cameras work by monitoring a vehicle's speed over a certain distance, rather than at a single point.

Unlike static safety camera detection which measures the motorists speed at one particular point along the road, average safety cameras monitor a driver’s average speed while driving between two points.

How do average safety cameras work?

Average safety cameras use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to record the time, date, and location of each vehicle that passes through an entry and exit point.

Drivers detected exceeding the speed limit i.e. travelling from point A to point B too quickly, are issued with a Fixed Charge Notice which, when processed, assigns three penalty points to the drivers licence and a fine of up to €160.

Why use average safety cameras?

The objective of the cameras is to prevent death and serious injury on Irish roads. Speed is a factor in the severity of outcome of many collisions, and is a cause in 30% of fatal collisions.

They are one of a range of Garda technology, enforcement, visibility, and education initiatives to reduce road deaths as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy.

First introduced in the Dublin Port Tunnel (2017) and on the M7 (2022) between Junction 26 and Junction 27 (9km stretch), they are effective in leading drivers to reduce their speed.

Studies conducted in Sweden and Norway have shown that safety cameras can reduce fatal collisions by 38% to 49%, and a London School of Economics Study found fatal collisions decreased by 58 to 68% within 500 metres of safety cameras.

Current locations

Port Tunnel

Average safety cameras were first introduced in the Dublin Port Tunnel in 2017.

M7

In 2022, the mainline Motorway Average Safety Camera system in place on the M7 came into operation between Junction 26 and Junction 27, both directions, eastbound and westbound.

This location on the M7 was chosen due to frequent weather episodes including hail and sleet showers, resulting in increased collision frequency in the area. There were 6 fatalities along this stretch of motorway in the 8 years that preceded the introduction of the average safety cameras.

New locations

N3 Cavan

N5 Mayo