The Garda annual report for 2003 gives a breakdown of the number of fixed charge notices issued for speeding by Garda region, as shown in the following table:
Region
|
Fixed charge notices issued for speeding
|
Eastern region
|
21,836
|
Dublin region
|
62,434
|
Northern region
|
10,106
|
South eastern region
|
20,227
|
Southern region
|
32,426
|
Western region
|
10,823
|
Total
|
157,852
|
Statistics in respect of 2004 are currently being compiled for publication in the Garda annual report for the year and are not yet available. The Garda authorities inform me that €13,751,333.54 was paid to the Garda Síochána in respect of on the spot and fixed charge notices for 2003 and €15,261,104.43 was paid in 2004. Motor fines collected by the courts in 2003 were to the value of €8.7 million in 2003 and €8.8 million in 2004. Statistics are not compiled in such a way as to distinguish between payments made in respect of speeding and other road traffic offences detected and the Garda authorities inform me that this information could only be obtained by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources. There are no statistics available in respect of fixed charge notices which are not paid as the options of paying or going to court are available to the person to whom the notice is issued.