'Zero tolerance' speed plan lambasted
10 January 2003: Robert Taylor, Managing Director, RAC Ireland, has said the controversial 'zero tolerance' speeding order recently issued for the Dublin Metropolitan Area 'smacks of a sledgehammer to crack a nut' and he says he doesn't see it as impacting on road fatalities.
"it doesn't hit at where the accidents are happening," he said. "This level of zero tolerance would be better put to work on issues such as drink-driving, seatbelts and ensuring unqualified drivers are not let take to the road unaccompanied."
Mr Taylor said the clampdown will serve to cause confusion in drivers' minds and create a nervousness which may not be conducive to safe driving.
"There is some uncertainty as to the accuracy of the speed guns used for detection and we know speedometers themselves are less than 100% accurate. None of this squares with the zero tolerance approach proposed.
"The move highlights the case for a reappraisal of which speed limits govern which roads. A 30 mph limit on a dual carriageway does little to promote safe driving."