Call for more speed cameras in Donegal amid road tragedies

A Donegal County Councillor has called for more permanent speed cameras to be installed in Donegal to prevent further road tragedies.

Sinn Féin's Terry Crossan made the call at Monday's council meeting, citing the 15 lives lost on Donegal roads this year.

"I feel we should have a far more visible garda presence on our roads. We need fixed speed cameras at specific locations," Cllr Crossan told Monday's plenary council meeting.

"Unfortunately, a lot of young people are involved in accidents and unfortunately, speed is an issue in some instances.

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"I particularly see drivers of all ages on mobiles. I regularly see young people in tractors on mobiles or else they appear to be texting.

"Gardaí should be given more resources to enable them to be more proactive in helping them to reduce road deaths, I feel this can only be achieved through a greater level of enforcement."

One of Ireland's nine new speed cameras was due to be installed on the N14 this year between Manorcunningham and Lifford. It has now emerged that it will be relocated to the N13 between Manor and Newtowncunningham. The change was made following an assessment process through the RSA, An Gardai Siochana and the TII.

The rollout of static speed cameras is led by gardaí, and councillors were told that €9 million has been allocated in funding for up to 100 new speed cameras as part of Budget 2025.

These new cameras are in addition to 58 mobile safety cameras currently operated by GoSafe.

The location of the new static speed safety cameras will be based on fatality and serious injury collision data, alongside speed data.