Numerous times throughout the month, I make my way down the N7 and onto the new M9 motorway to get from the ‘big smoke’ down to Carlow.  The current layout of the M9 means all traffic must exit the motorway at Powerstown, Carlow.  An all too familar sight at this junction recently is a Garda car instructing a civilian car to pull over and view the results of a speed gun capture.

The M9 opened in December 2009.   The entire strip of motorway is a 120 km/ph zone.  The speed limit reduces on approach to the exit and further reduction as you exit. There have been numerous accidents and one (open to correction) fatality on this road since its opening. However,  the most heavily policed strip of the motorway (including the N7 out of Dublin) appears to be as motorists exit at Powerstown.

In 2008 (most recent stats available), 72% of all fatal collisions occurred on rural roads.  I would expect to see a similar figure for the current year.  I would also expect to see a similar percentage of Garda resources deployed to rural roads.  In my experience of rural roads in Carlow, this is not the case.

I personally have to ask what the benefit is of such a constant police presence here.  Before you ask, no I have not been caught speeding here recently, not yet at least!  Are lives being saved?  Should  Garda resources be deployed to area’s with greater potential for accidents?  Have your say in our poll or leave a comment below.

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