New yellow static speed cameras; new locations; How to catch speed?

The new average speed cameras are now underway and gardaí say the locations of two cameras have now been confirmed.

The purpose of average speed cameras is to encourage drivers to reduce their average speed and reduce the number of collisions. A total of three average speed cameras are set to go live along with nine new static speed cameras. These locations were chosen for the average speed cameras because they are "high collision sites" and have resulted in many collisions leading to injury, serious injury and death.

How to measure average speed?

Average speed cameras track a vehicle's speed over a distance rather than a single point. This will allow gardaí to monitor the driver's average speed when driving between two points. The new speed cameras will provide advance notice when they move into the enforcement phase and inform road users through road signage.

The infrastructure and technology for these two cameras is now in place on the N3 between Kilduff and Billis in County Cavan and the N5 between Lislackagh and Cuilmore in Swinford, County Mayo. These are usually yellow in color and attached to a post  

The installation of the two new camera systems is part of a wider Garda initiative, carried out with the help of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, local authorities, the ESB, the Local Government Management Agency and contractors.

A third average speed camera is to be installed on the N2 at Slane. The route runs from Dublin to the border near Ognacloe in County Tyrone. 

Nine new static speed cameras are expected to be operational by the end of this year. Locations announced in May:

• The N59 in Galway between Maigh Cuilinn and Galway ity
• The N25 in Waterford between Glenmore and Luffany
• The R772 Arklow Road in Wicklow
• The N14 in Donegal east of Letterkenny
• The N80 in Carlow between Barristown and Levitstown
• The Crumlin Road/Parnell Road/Dolphin Road/Dolphin's Barn Junction in Dublin
• The N17 in Mayo northeast of Claremorris
• The N22 in Cork east of Lissarda and west of Ovens
• The N69 in Limerick east of Askeaton

Gardaí have selected these locations based on fatal and serious collision data, speed data and stakeholder feedback from the past seven years. The Garda welcomed the announcement by Justice Minister Helen Helen McEntee of funding of up to €9m for up to 100 new speed cameras as part of Budget 2025.

Justice Minister Helen Helen McEntee highlighted the worrying rise in road deaths in recent years, citing dangerous driving behaviors as a major factor. She stressed that new technologies, along with an increased Garda presence, improvements to the roads and a change in driver behaviour, were essential to achieving better road safety outcomes.