Safety cameras on Mayo's N5 see increase in driver compliance

AVERAGE safety cameras became operational on the N5 at Swinford today.

The cameras are located on the Swinford bypass between Lislackagh and Culmore.

Commissioning, testing and validation of the cameras got underway earlier this month and surveys carried out before work began and after civil works were completed for the new cameras have already demonstrated the halo effect, with significant increases in driver compliance.

Motorists on the route today have reported a noticeable slowdown in traffic.

Those found exceeding the designated speed limit will face a fixed charge penalty notice fine of €160 and three penalty points.

Average safety cameras work by monitoring a vehicle's speed over the distance of the safety camera zone, rather than at a single point.

They are intended to change driver behaviour, reduce the average speed of road users and the number of collisions that occur, making roads safer for all road users and decreasing the impact of speed on local communities.

International studies have found that speed cameras can influence a reduction in collisions and the severity of collisions through the ‘halo effect’ - where drivers have been found to reduce speed due to the presence of speed or safety cameras.