THE introduction of speed cameras on Irish roads has led to an increase in penalty points issued to motorists in Limerick.
Almost 2,500 extra points were doled out in December 2010, compared with the same month the previous year, according to RSA figures. Last month, a total of 20,591 penalty points were assigned to drivers licenses for offences, with 15,507 of those committed in the county.
An average of two penalty points were given per misdemeanour.
Speed cameras were introduced in November of last year as part of the Road Safety Strategy 2007 to 2012, and are operated by the GoSafe consortium.
They are said to be located where fatal collisions have taken place across the country, as a result of an inappropriate speed.
Speeding has been identified as the most common reason for the allocation of penalty points and an €80 fine is also applied for the offence. This increases to €120 if the charge is not paid within 28 days.
Other common offences which result in the issuing of penalty points include, using a mobile phone while driving, dangerous overtaking and the failure to comply with traffic signs or traffic lights, all of which have two points imposed.
Meanwhile, new guidelines are to be introduced by the Department of Transport intended to iron out inconsistencies in speed limits between local authorities.
Former Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey had said he is eager to make the display of speed limit signage more visible, as it is the single largest cause of complaint to the Road Safety Authority.
Work on the new guidelines was scheduled to be completed before the introduction of the new speed cameras, but did not occur.
They are now expected to be sent to councils by the end of this month.
However, director of transport at Limerick County Council Paul Crowe, said the authority had to hear anything about these guidelines.
“I’m aware that there was an investigation into speed limits as part of the road safety strategy, but there was few inconsistencies found in our jurisdiction,” he told the Limerick Post.
“I know the AA had been doing work on inconsistencies, but we have yet to hear anything on these guidelines that are supposed to be introduced by the department at the end of this month”.
