Over 70 of westmeath speeding cases in 5060kmph zones

Over 70% of all fixed charge penalty notices issued as a result of detections by speed cameras in Westmeath occur in 50kmph and 60kmph zones.

Recently released figures from the Department of Transport have revealed that between November 2010 and February 2014 there were 8,436 fixed charge notices issued in Westmeath. Of that 8,436, 5,519 were detected by speed cameras in 50kmph zones and a further 518 in 60kmph zones. The remaining 2,399 fixed charge notices were issued in 100kmph zones.

It was a similar story in most of Westmeath's neighbouring counties. In Cavan and Roscommon around 90% of cases involving speed cameras were in 50/60kmph zones, while in Meath the figure was 65%. Nationally, Leitrim (98%) had the highest percentage of the speeding detections in 50/60kmph zones.

Critics of the current system say that the positioning of many speed cameras, particularly those in 50/60km zones, has more to do with income generation than with improving road safety.

According to the latest figures from the Department of Justice, between November 2010 and June 2014 the state received almost €19m from fixed charge penalty notices that were issued as a result of detections by Go Safe, the firm contracted to operate speeding cameras for the state.