The Port Tunnel average speed enforcement system has been in operation for a month now and Garda figures show an average of 50 speeding offences a day. The highest recorded speed for one vehicle was 132 KPH.
A van driver certainly caught the attention of the radar operators when he was recorded speeding three times - in an hour and a half. The driver now faces the accumulation of 9 penalty points and fines of €240 Euros. The penalties could be much higher if the case goes to court and an insurance company is likely to have an issue with cover for that number of points.
The highest speed detected in the Port Tunnel in the last month was 132 KPH.
The average speed camera enforcement system monitors a driver’s average speed while driving through the tunnel and if a driver is above the 80 km/h speed limit the driver enforcement penalties apply.
Once the average speed camera enforcement system determines that a vehicle has exceeded the speed limit, it automatically creates a record of the violation which is then be transmitted to Gardai.
An Garda Siochana says traffic levels through Dublin Tunnel have increased "by 40% over the last 5 years and as a result there is statistically, an increase in the potential for collisions and incidents. Average speed camera enforcement systems look to mitigate this potential because statistics show that there is typically a 50% reduction in the collision rate once in operation".
"The enforcement procedure will mirror the existing procedures developed by An Garda Síochána for the processing of speeding offences that incur a fixed charge and applicable penalty points. The fixed charge penalty for speeding currently is an €80 fine and 3 penalty points on your licence, increasing to 5 penalty points and an increased fine if convicted in court".
Gardai say all drivers using the Dublin Tunnel should notice large yellow poles. These poles support the average speed camera enforcement system. The system does not have flashing lights or other operational indications, but is monitored at all times.
Dublin Tunnel opened on the 20th December 2006. It is a twin bore tunnel 4.5km in length. It forms the section of the M50 C-Ring road around Dublin City.
