Incidents are down, but speeding is still a big problem says Tipperary Garda Chief

Chief Superintendent Colm O'Sullivan has told members of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee that although speeding is down, it is still a significant issue on the county's roads. 

According to the Chief Superintendent's report, speeding was down but only by a modest 6%.

During that period, 1,224 incidents were detected, down from 1,307.

“It’s clear speeding is still an issue on our roads, and again statistically, it has been shown that speed leads to fatal and serious injury collisions, so I ask people to be mindful,” said Chief Supt O’Sullivan.

Cllrs Noel Coonan and Ger Darcy said that driving at a slow pace also carries a risk because it can be frustrating for other drivers.

Cllr Darcy said that in some places, the speed limits might need re-examining.

However, Chief Supt O’Sullivan said that was not a reason to break them.

He said the local authorities set the speed limits based on national legislation.

He said that slower drivers, out of courtesy, might allow someone to pass.

But speeding to overtake can cause an accident with repercussions one must live with for the rest of their life. And the best outcome is that they arrive five minutes earlier than they would have driving behind the slow driver.

Noel Coonan called that a “sobering thought”.

Chief Supt O’Sullivan added that the figures presented did not include the speed cameras on the N7, only the ones collected by individual gardaí.

He said where they included the figures would be much higher.

He said the presence of gardaí with speed cameras does have the effect of slowing drivers down.