Written answers

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Road Traffic Offences

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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483. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to allegations that Go Safe use vans that are not road worthy in the work that they are contracted to do by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2485/13]

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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490. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to any problems with the equipment and technology utilised by the GoSafe Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2515/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 483 and 490 together.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, in accordance with the contract with Go Safe, the service provider is responsible for ensuring that all vehicles used in connection with the provision of the safety camera network service are fit for purpose, roadworthy and meet all legislative requirements in respect of the use of such vehicles in a public place. I am also informed that requirements on the service provider to ensure that all equipment used in connection with the service is installed, calibrated and maintained in accordance with approved standards are being met.

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána is not aware of any issues with regard to equipment or technology utilised by the service provider or the road worthiness of the vehicles used in the provision of the safety camera service.

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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484. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the areas that the Go Safe speed cameras have operated in each year since their introduction; his plans to expand same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2486/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that excessive or inappropriate speeding continues to be a significant contributory factor in road traffic collisions, including fatal and serious injury collisions. A targeted approach to speed enforcement is being undertaken in order to significantly reduce the incidence of fatal and serious injuries and improve road safety. To this end, An Garda Síochána, in conjunction with the National Roads Authority, completed an extensive analysis of the collision history on the road network. Sections of road have been identified where a significant proportion of collisions occurred whereby speed was deemed the primary contributory factor.

Based on this analysis, a list of speed enforcement zones has been developed with the aim of providing information to motorists in order to raise awareness of speeding in these zones. An Garda Síochána utilises these zones in order to direct speed enforcement activity, in a proportionate and targeted manner.

I am also advised that safety cameras only operate on sections of road which have a history of collisions occurring where speed was a contributory factor. The locations of these speed enforcement zones are in the public domain and are available on the Garda website www.garda.ie.

Speed enforcement zones are continually reviewed in light of survey data, collision history and local feedback to ensure that enforcement activity is properly targeted. Surveys continue to be conducted to ensure the appropriate deployment of safety cameras on roads which have been identified as subject of inappropriate speed and where fatal and serious injury collisions continue to occur.

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