by Alan Jacques
FINE Gael councillor for Newcastle West, Liam Galvin, has called for a full review to be carried out on the manner in which ‘go-safe’ vans are operating in County Limerick.
Cllr Galvin said at this week’s local authority meeting that he was in favour of ‘go-safe’ vans being used, but claimed that currently they are not located where they are most needed.
“I’m in favour of road safety, but go-safe vans are shooting goldfish in a bowl. Is it a money-raising exercise or is it about saving lives?” he asked.
He told council members of a stretch of road where 11 people had been killed and pointed out he has never seen a speed van in this spot. He then spoke of another stretch of road where he alleged there has never been an accident, yet claimed ‘go-safe’ vans regularly favour it as a “soft target”.
“Lets look at roads where there has been a loss of life or the risk of the loss of life. Let’s look at rural roads where lives are more at threat,” he insisted.
Sinn Fein councillor Ciara McMahon supported Cllr Galvin’s motion calling on Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe to implement a review on the manner in which ‘go-safe’ vans are operating on Irish roads.
“It beggars belief. They pick easy targets. I often see them on a straight stretch near Glin where there was never a fatality,” said Cllr McMahon.
Fianna Fail councillor Michael Collins suggested the motion “threads on dangerous ground” and suggested Cllr Galvin should call Minister Donohoe personally about the issue.
When retired Garda detective Sean Lynch, a Fianna Fail councillor for City West, said that the issue was outside the Garda remit, Cllr Lynch said that the ‘go-safe’ vans had worked and there was a need for them.
“But they should be operating in the areas where there’s been fatalities,” he added.
Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary called for a full review, especially on regional roads, maintaining this is where ‘go-safe’ vans are most appropriate.
