It’s claimed the introduction of fixed speeding cameras and motorway driving lessons in Clare could radically improve driver behaviour.
It comes as more than 80 motorists nationwide have already been detected speeding within the first five hours of National Slow Down Day.
The Head of Clare’s Road Policing Unit is urging motorists to remain vigilant on this National Slow Down Day.
Gardaí have already detected 81 motorists travelling in excess of the speed limit, including one motorist travelling at 112Km/h in a 50km/h zone in Charleville.
Today also marks the first day of a new Garda policy, which will see all uniformed officers spending 30 minutes a day operating strategic checkpoints throughout the road network.
Roads Policing Superintendent of the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division, Eddie Golden insists there will be a zero tolerance approach towards speeding motorists.
An East Clare Councillor is calling for fixed speed cameras to be tested on a pilot basis in all rural towns and villages.
They are currently only in place on the M7 near Birdhill and at Dublin’s Port Tunnel, but there are plans to roll out the infrastructure on the N2, N3 and N5 later this year.
In Clare, there are thirty-six locations where Go-Safe vans sporadically carry out speed checks, but Whitegate Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke believes driver behaviour would radically improve, if their speed was monitored on a permanent basis.
You can listen to the full interview below.
The RSA has this week announced it will be committing an additional €3m to road safety education and campaigns for the coming year, amid a marked increase in road deaths so far this year.
Various road safety groups have also voiced their criticism of driver training in Ireland of late, with the Professional Driving Instructors Association saying a minimum of twelve lessons is simply not enough.
A Clare Driving Instructor believes though, that we need to look to international standards to ensure drivers are fully competent when they take to the road.
Chris Curran, of Chris Curran Driving School in Ennis says modules on motorway driving are urgently needed.
You can listen to the full interview below.
