Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013
46. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm the number of fixed charge penalty notices that were issued as a result of images captured by GoSafe operators and the numbers that were terminated. [6013/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that Fixed Charge Notices for speeding offences are classified into 'intercept' and 'non-intercept' detections. 'Non-intercept' offences are recorded by fixed and mobile speed cameras, which include speed cameras operated by Go Safe as well as Garda mobile speed detection 'Robot' vehicles. These are distinct from 'intercept' speeding offences which are detected by members of An Garda Síochána in person.
I am further informed by An Garda Síochána that information in relation to speeding offences detected by Go Safe is included in the overall number of 'non-intercept' detections. In this regard, I am informed by the Garda authorities that in the period November, 2010 to December, 2012, 409,296 fixed charge notices issued in respect of 'non-intercept' speeding offences and 44,592 such notices were cancelled. It should be noted that the figures provided by an Garda Síochána are provisional, operational and subject to change.
As I have set out in response to other questions on this subject today, there can be circumstances where a Fixed Charge Notice may be cancelled, in accordance with Garda procedures drawn up in the light of legislative exemptions and prosecutorial guidelines. Cancellation occurs where it is believed the evidence would not sustain a prosecution or a prosecution would not be appropriate, fair or proportionate. The procedures provide authority to District Officers, or Inspectors Acting as District Officers, and an Inspector in the Fixed Charge Processing Office to cancel Fixed Charge Notices.
Cancellation can occur in circumstances where, for example, exemptions apply in relation to emergency vehicles or the wearing of seatbelts, or where there are evidential difficulties, such as where the registration number registered by a speed camera does not correspond to the vehicle in question, or where there are emergency medical circumstances such as, for example, a sick child being driven to hospital, an imminent birth, or a medical professional rushing to a sick or elderly patient.
