GoSafe speed vans 'just a joke and waste of money' - Laois public representative wades in

The GoSafe vans are having no impact in slowing traffic because they are in the wrong place who insists they are "a joke and waste of money".

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, made the claim at a recent meeting with Laois County Council where he referenced a petition to the Laois Gardaí signed by local people calling for action.

Cllr Cloney tabled a motion calling on the Council carry out traffic calming measures after the roundabout at Manor Stone on the Rathdowney Road.

He quoted a petition at the meeting from people living on what he said is an 'unbelievably' wide R433 route from the Laois Dog Pound to the L198 road. 

"They have petitioned the local gardaí on this stretch of road. Due to the lack of signs road users assume the speed limit is 100 kms. Proper signs would encouraged drivers to slow down and we request Laois County Council to install proper speed limit sign on this road," he said. 

He also hit out at the GoSafe vehicles which have been used by the Gardaí since 2010.

"They don't do anything because they are always parked in the same places and everybody knows where they are," he said.

Gardaí say the primary purpose of safety cameras is to reduce speed-related collisions, lessen injuries and save lives.

Cllr Clooney said speed is a problem on routes into Durrow but the vans do not operate in the high risk locations.

"There is never a van (at these locations). They park out the road where the road is wide and there is very little danger," he said.

He could not see the value of the vans which Gardaí say operate in areas where there is a history of speed related collisions known as speed enforcement zones. 

"They are just a joke and waste of money. I heard there was going to €1.5 million extra spent on them...they need to get their act together because Tommy Knock would do better than what they are doing," he said.

He was supported by Cllr John King, Fine Gael, who referenced a recent announcement of lower speed limits nationally. Said that "speed kills" and while signs help "people must drive easy." he said.     

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fáil, also backed the motion. While he welcomed that national measures to slow cars he said policing is key.

"The real problem is enforcement. You can have signs and reduce limits but if it is not enforced it means nothing. The lower limits are being blackguarded and there is no regard for anyone," he said.

Mr James Dowling, Area Office, replied in writing on behalf of the local authority. 

"Laois County Council Road Design will carry out a speed survey at this location. Following the results of the survey they will investigate the need for intervention measures in light of the Department of Transports recently announced proposal  to reduce the default speed limits on secondary, urban and rural roads," he said.

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The issue was raised at the September meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.