Cavan and Mayo to Activate Average Speed Cameras This Weekend: What Drivers Need to Know

Starting this weekend, drivers traversing counties Cavan and Mayo will need to pay closer attention to their speedometers, as new average speed camera systems are set to become operational. These systems, designed to improve road safety, will be stationed on key segments of the N3 in Cavan and the M5 near Swinford, Mayo.

Unlike conventional speed cameras that capture a vehicle’s speed at a single point, these average speed cameras calculate a vehicle’s speed over a designated stretch of road. This method involves capturing the speed between two points—ensuring drivers maintain a safe speed throughout their journey rather than just at camera locations.

Anyone caught speeding between the designated points on these roads will face a fine of up to €160 and receive three penalty points on their license. This enforcement is backed by the advanced automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology, which meticulously records the time, date, and vehicle details at both entry and exit points of the monitored zone.

The decision to implement these average speed cameras follows the success of similar setups on the M7 motorway and in Dublin’s Port Tunnel, where they have notably helped reduce average speeds and, consequently, road accidents. An Garda Síochána has confirmed that the chosen locations for these cameras are sites with a history of traffic incidents, including serious and fatal collisions, underscoring the need for consistent speed monitoring.

This initiative is part of a larger rollout that includes the introduction of three average speed camera systems and nine static speed cameras across various locations. Further details about the additional camera sites are expected to be announced soon.

The enforcement of these systems will commence at noon this Friday, with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris scheduled to officially inaugurate the operation. This move is a clear stride towards altering driving behaviors, reducing average speeds, and enhancing the safety of all road users in Ireland.