Average speed cameras to become operational in effort to combat rising road deaths

Vehicles detected driving in excess of the 100km/h posted speed limit will be subject to prosecution from 12pm on October 25.

The average speed cameras on the N5 were installed between Lislackagh and Cuilmore in Swinford, Co Mayo, while on the N3 they have been installed between Kilduff and Billis, in Co Cavan. 

Commissioning, testing, and validation of the cameras has been under way since earlier this month.

The N5 road is a national primary road, connecting Longford town with Westport. It is the main access route from Dublin to most of Co Mayo, including the county’s largest towns: Castlebar, Ballina, and Westport.

The average speed camera sites have been chosen because they meet the criteria as being high-collision sites, with numerous road traffic collisions, involving injury, serious injury, and fatalities.

Unlike static speed camera detection — which measures the motorist’s speed at one particular point along the road — average speed cameras monitor a driver’s average speed while driving between two points.

Drivers detected exceeding the speed limit will be issued with a fixed charge notice which, when processed, assigns three penalty points to the driver’s licence and a fine of up to €160.

The 142 road fatalities so far this year include: 26 pedestrians, 56 drivers, 30 passengers, 17 motorcyclists, nine pedal cyclists, three e-scooter driver/passengers, and one pillion passenger/other.