Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who regrets that she is unable to be present due to other business.

The Minister is in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner regarding a wide range of road safety matters, but the House will appreciate that detailed speed enforcement strategy is principally an operational matter for the Garda authorities. The Minister has asked that I emphasise that the purpose of safety cameras is to reduce speed-related collisions and save lives. Location is determined by road safety considerations and not by revenue generation. An Garda Síochána has contracted a service provider, GoSafe, to operate safety cameras in designated speed enforcement zones. These sections of the road network were identified following an extensive analysis of five years of collision data for incidents in which speed was deemed the primary contributory factor. GoSafe operates in addition to Garda safety camera vans, which are marked and unmarked and operate both within and outside speed enforcement zones.This provides additional flexibility, again with the emphasis being on addressing dangerous driving behaviour.

The Minister would like to clarity that GoSafe is paid based on the number of hours of surveys and monitoring. The number of detections has no bearing on the payments made. An Garda Síochána utilises the speed enforcement zones to direct enforcement activity in a proportionate and targeted manner, including through the use of safety camera vans. Signage is erected at the start of each speed enforcement zone. The locations, some of which the Senator mentioned, are in the public domain and are available on the Garda Síochána website.

Speed enforcement zones are continually reviewed in light of survey data, collision history and local feedback to ensure enforcement activity is targeted at the locations where collisions are occurring. Monitoring is also carried out at set times and days based on when collisions occur. A higher weighting, and subsequently more monitoring hours, are assigned to those locations where compliance rates are lowest.

When the safety camera network commenced in November 2010, a total of 518 stretches of road were selected as speed enforcement zones. Since then, additional zones have been identified as having a collision history suitable for inclusion while others no longer merit inclusion based on welcome changes in driver behaviour. The total number of zones currently stands at 727. Compliance has increased across the zones since the network was introduced. For example, between January 2011 and October 2013, compliance in 50 km/h zones increased from 62% to 98%, with compliance in 80 km/h zones increasing to 96% in the same period. These are very significant improvements in driver behaviour.

All of the analysis carried out points to the conclusion that the safety cameras have saved lives and, therefore, bring enormous human and economic benefits. We are not aware of the people who are alive because of speed cameras but there are people who are living very productive and happy lives thanks to their introduction. Moreover, research carried out on behalf of the Road Safety Authority in 2014 found that 81% of adults surveyed supported the use of safety cameras and 71% surveyed believed them to be effective in influencing motorists to drive more safely. This support is very welcome and the Minister would call on all in the community to take the utmost care when driving.

The unfortunate reality is that people ignore speed limits - the Senator named a few incidences this morning - and a significant number of fatalities and serious injuries arise as a result of speeding. Last year, 196 people tragically lost their lives on our roads. Slowing down would have prevented many of these fatalities. In conclusion and on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, I again thank the Senator for raising these important issues. I am sure we are all united in supporting An Garda Síochána in addressing dangerous driving. I must revert to the Senator in respect of the question about the revenue raised as I do not have that specific information.