Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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327. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in detail, the methodology that An Garda Síochána uses to survey the level of compliance with the speed limit, in any given location, particularly in terms of standard protocols and quality management to ensure validity, reliability and replicability of findings, across Garda divisions. [7103/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that since 2010, An Garda Síochána has contracted a service provider 'GoSafe' to operate safety cameras on its behalf. This service encompasses both speed detection and speed survey sessions.

In that regard, GoSafe conducts regular speed surveys at locations identified by An Garda Síochána as having the greatest propensity for speed related collisions, to ensure on-going appropriate deployment of safety cameras. I am informed by the Garda authorities that prior to a zone being used for conducting monitoring sessions, a number of speed surveys are carried out to establish baseline driver behaviour within the zone against which any changes in driver behaviour can be determined. Speed surveys are then carried out at regular intervals within these zones to track any changes in driver behaviour and to monitor compliance with speed limits within these zones. Each survey session counts the free speed of vehicles under 5 categories; cars; single-decker buses; double-decker buses; rigid vehicles; and articulated vehicles.

I am further informed that the methodology used follows similar principles to those used by the National Roads Authority (NRA) in carrying out speed surveys.

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. There are 727 speed enforcement zones nationally, with details and locations of each available on the Garda website.