The Clare-Tipperary Garda Division issued the highest number of speeding fines in the country last year.
New figures show that almost 22,000 violations were recorded for the offence across both counties in 2023.
Over the last twelve months, a total of 21,594 speeding fines were issued to motorists in Clare and Tipperary.
This represents a 25% increase on the number of fixed charged notices distributed for the offence in the division in 2022.
It also marks the second year in a row in which the Clare-Tipperary district issued the highest number of speeding fines in the country.
According to the Head of the Clare-Tipperary Roads Policing Unit, a large number of motorists were caught speeding on the M7 between Nenagh and Birdhill, one of two locations in the country were average fixed speed cameras are in place.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland is now planning to roll out these out nationwide and Superintendent Eddie Golden says that while the technology has a track record of reducing collisions, drivers must stop treating speed limits as targets.
An analysis carried out by the Road Safety Authority shows that in the last twelve months, 24% of drivers with a history of collision involvement have driven after consuming alcohol.
According to a member of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee, local Gardaí are also reporting an uptick in the number of people driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard says personal responsibility is urgently required to save lives.
Listen to the full interview here
