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New Port Tunnel speed cameras

Average speed cameras will detect vehicles exceeding 80km/h limit.

What's the news?

Dublin's Port Tunnel is soon to have new average speed cameras introduced to deter motorists from exceeding the 80km/h speed limit in place. The Port Tunnel has had systems in place for some time that could detect vehicles speeding, but this merely flashed the registration number of the vehicle in signs along the 4.5km tunnel to get them to slow down.

This new system consists of cameras placed at each end of the tunnel that detect the vehicles as they enter. If the vehicle reaches the detection point at the other end of the tunnel in less than three minutes and 20 seconds, it will have been travelling faster than the 80km/h speed limit.

Any drivers caught exceeding the 80km/h speed limit in the Port Tunnel will be liable to a fine of €80 and three penalty points under current laws.

Sean O'Neill, from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), when speaking on RTÉ's News at One, was keen to point out that the safety of motorists is of paramount importance. He added: "The tunnel is a contained environment. If accidents happen it is difficult to get to people, and you always want to be careful when dealing with tunnels. It is a motorway, part of the M50, and you want people to drive through there safely."

Anything else?

This will be the first time that such a camera system will be used to police speeding on Irish roads and depending on its effectiveness, similar systems could be rolled out to cover longer sections of motorways and roads. These types of systems are already in widespread use across the UK motorway network and have proved to have a major effect in the reduction of speeding.

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Published on January 9, 2017