The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) today voiced their grave concern over the delay in implementing Government policy on speed cameras.

‘Speed is the biggest single contributing factor causing death and serious injury on our roads’, said IIF Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr Niall Doyle.

He continued, ‘In 2002 the High Level Group on Road Safety received a report on the use of speed camera enforcement. Members of the IIF urged the Ministers for Justice, Transport and the Tanáiste to adopt this life saving report. In 2005 this Government approved the speed camera programme as part of their Road Safety Strategy. It is now almost 2010 and following 5 years of a process including ‘Expressions of Interest’, ‘Requests for Tender’ and ‘Contract Negotiations’ there is still no sign of private speed cameras on Irish Roads despite the preferred bidder, the Go Safe consortium, being chosen.’

There has been a significant increase in the number of retirements being sought within the Garda Siochana and following this year’s budget there will be further constraints on Garda manpower. ‘The speed camera programme will free up much needed Garda resources for enforcement activity in other crucial areas. €10 million was allocated to this programme in 2009 with no visible signs of where this money has been spent’, said Mr Doyle.

He concluded, ‘We recognise that not every road safety policy or proposal is going to be popular with everyone. However back in 2002 Lansdowne Market Research discovered that the overwhelming majority of Irish citizens wanted tougher road safety laws and enforcement. This programme is not about revenue generation but is about saving lives, and the delay in its implementation is contributing to the number of collisions resulting in fatalities and serious injuries. We would urge Minister Ahern and the Garda Commissioner to expedite the deployment of these cameras.’