REVEALED: 'Average speed’ traffic cameras coming to three major national roads by autumn

Gardaí have confirmed that new average speed cameras are to go live on the N2, N3 and N5 roads this autumn.

While some roads around the country already have the latest 'average speed' cameras, three of the busiest national roads are set to welcome them in the coming months, the Irish Times have reported.

The cameras will record the vehicles speed at two points and note the time it has taken for the vehicle to pass the markers.

It allows the Garda to accurately calculate the speed of a vehicle over longer distances than a single, static camera.

Two of the three new average speed cameras will affect drivers travelling to and from Ulster; The N2 road, which runs from Dublin to the Northern Ireland Border near Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, and the N3, connecting Dublin to Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal. Sections of both of these routes are classified as motorways, and are referred to as the M2 and M3 respectively.

The N5 road which connects Longford with Westport in co. Mayo will also be affected by the camera implementation.

The precise locations for the new average speed cameras on these national roads has not bee decided as of yet, and is being worked out by the Garda in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The criteria for the locations include an assessment of the potential for dangerous speeds and the number of crashes on the road.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan spoke highly of average speed cameras in relation to the positive changes to road fatality figures. Ryan referred to Scotland, where he said average speed cameras had reduced road fatalities nationwide.

Separately, Ryan said a review of the Road Safety Authority is underway, “partly because of increases in road deaths, but also because it makes sense to continue to evolve and develop our institutions”.

Currently there are only two stretches of Irish roads covered by average speed cameras, these the M7 (near Birdhill, in Co Tipperary), and the Dublin Tunnel, between Dublin Port and the M50. Both areas have seen a significant reduction in cases of speeding.

Aiming to tackle the worrying rise in road fatalities, Gardaí are also planning to install nine, new static speed cameras, which measure the speed of vehicles passing a single point, by the end of this year. These will be active in early 2025. A decision on the locations for static speed cameras is to be made later this month.