The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has condemned this morning’s arson attack on a GoSafe van in Co. Louth.
Commissioner Murphy said:
“I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms this morning’s attack on a GoSafe van and GoSafe staff. It was an outrageous and reckless act which could have had grave and tragic consequences.
GoSafe van personnel are out on our roads day and night working with An Garda Síochána to reduce speed-related collisions and stop the needless loss of lives on our roads. It is important work directed at ensuring that fewer families and communities here have to endure the pain and suffering which follows collisions and deaths on our roads.”
This morning’s attack happened at approximately 4.45 a.m. on Carrick Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Gardaí in Dundalk are appealing to the public for any information which would assist their investigation of the incident. In particular they are appealing to anyone who might have seen a silver car in the area which it is believed had two occupants.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station 042-9388400, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
GoSafe system-
In addition to An Garda Síochána operating its own speed enforcement equipment, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner contracted a company called GoSafe to operate mobile safety cameras in Ireland on behalf of the organisation. The Garda National Traffic Bureau (GNTB) determines the locations and times of the safety camera operations.
The safety cameras are operated by trained GoSafe personnel. GoSafe is paid based only on the number of hours completed. There is no financial incentive associated with increased detection rates as the hourly rate to be paid is not linked in any way to the number of detections made.
As well as enforcement hours, the cameras survey and count the number and speed of vehicles. The safety cameras operate during the day and at night-time, seven days a week.
On a phased basis, GoSafe will provide 6,000 enforcement hours and 1,475 survey hours per month across the country. For the 6,000 enforcement hours, the cameras will operate from vans which will be marked with high visibility reflective material and will display a safety camera symbol. Images of the vans are available on the Garda website.
The survey hours will be conducted from unmarked vans, in order to accurately observe and record the speeds at which vehicles are currently travelling, for survey purposes only.
An extensive analysis of collisions on the road network has been completed. The sections of roads identified were found to have a significant proportion of collisions where speed was a contributory factor. The locations of these roads are available by clicking on the map on the Garda website.
Ongoing surveys will be conducted to ensure that safety cameras will continue to be on roads all across Ireland where, as a result of inappropriate speed, fatal and injury collisions are happening. These sections of the road network will be where An Garda Síochána will be focussing our speed monitoring and enforcement.
Garda Press Office.
