Query on average speed cameras

The average speed cameras on the N3 need to be closer to the Belturbet roundabout.

That’s according to Cllr Brendan Fay (Ind) who asked Cavan County Council to write to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and ask for justification over the current location of the cameras. He told those gathered at the November monthly meeting of the local authority that, while the installation of the speed cameras was “welcome”, they have failed to alleviate concerns over traffic navigating junctions along the road.

Cllr Fay accepted the cameras are needed owing to the “many accidents and lives lost on the road” but said while speed is reduced on one section, it’s increased on others.

“I have seen it myself where drivers coming from Cavan spot that second camera and then the foot goes to the floor and away they go again.

“They then have a kilometre or two before they hit the roundabout. That situation is causing fear among local motorists. Is there a possibility that those cameras could be moved down closer to the Belturbet roundabout. I think it would make the whole N3 safer.”

Meanwhile, Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF) said he and his colleagues had been raising the matter at municipal district level for some time now. “We have made progress on three junctions where works have been carried out,” he continued.

“And, yes there are a number of other junctions where there are issues. I use that road very regularly and certainly, as Cllr Fay has said, the section between the two cameras, the speed has reduced.

“But now you have people tailgating to try and avoid the camera getting their number plate and then, when people get to the other end, they think they are on the runway at an airport and they take off at speed to make up for time they think they have lost during the drive between the cameras.”

He was somewhat cynical. “An awful lot of what we pass as road safety is in fact a monetary issue rather than being about road safety. Anyone that uses the road will see people on phones and engaging in very dangerous manoeuvres,” said Cllr Feeley.

He added that he witnessed a near accident and reported it.

“Three months later I, as a potential witness, have not been contacted and I’m of the view that it was too much work. That is the sad reality of the situation,” added Cllr Feeley.

Cllr Damien Brady (SF) added: “Anything that can improve road safety is welcome. As a firefighter I have been at the scene of some very serious accidents at the junctions along the N3. I don’t understand why the issues around the dangerous junctions weren’t addressed before the cameras were put in place,” said Cllr Brady.