‘It shouldn’t have taken a tragic death for intervention’, says councillor on new road safety camera
Josie Ribeiro died while cycling in Dolphin's Barn on November 6 last year. Photo: Instagram/irlandapontocom
Nine new static speed safety cameras will be installed around the country
It “shouldn’t have taken a tragic death for intervention”, one Dublin councillor has claimed after the announcement of new advanced road safety cameras by gardaí.
Nine high-tech image recording devices are to be installed around the country by the end of the year, including one at Dolphin’s Barn Junction in Dublin.
The locations have been selected based on fatal and serious injury collision figures from the last seven years and speed data, as well as feedback from various organisations.
Last November, Brazilian woman Josilaine ‘Josie’ Ribeiro (36) died in a collision between an e-bike and a truck on Dolphin’s Barn Bridge.
Cllr Darragh Morarity said that road safety has been a huge issue in the area and intervention should’ve happened a long time ago.
“Speeding is a huge issue along the Crumlin Road, Dolphin’s Barn and onto Cork Street,” the Labour councillor told the Irish Independent.
“The local campaign group, Calm Crumlin Road, has done great work highlighting this and capturing data on the dangerous speeding along this stretch. We know that speeding kills.
“Every day, I cycle past the ghost bike at Dolphin’s Barn dedicated to the memory of Josilaine Ribeiro. It shouldn’t have taken a tragic death for intervention here.”
Nine new static speed safety cameras will be installed around the country
Green Party councillor Michael Pidgeon said the community is relieved that the high-tech image recording device is being installed as it will help stop “reckless behaviour” on what he describes as a “mini motorway”.
“Speed kills and speed cameras save lives. The local community will be relieved to hear that a speed camera is finally going in,” he said.
“Despite being a residential area, Dolphin’s Barn has been treated as a mini motorway for too long.
“Some motorists drive way too fast through the area, making the street feel dangerous and unpleasant. A new camera should put a stop to that reckless behaviour.
“We have had several cyclists and pedestrians knocked down in the Dublin 8 area in recent years.
“Josilaine Ribeiro was killed on her bike on this very road, tragically. We need to make our city’s streets safe – and forcing drivers to slow down and obey the law is a big part of that.
“I can think of hundreds of other spots across the city to roll these out. It’s a great start. Slow down, save lives.”
Cllr Máire Devine added: “It’s great news to hear that this extra safety feature will be active at this ‘black spot’ which has seen so many ‘near misses’ and sadly, fatalities. Pity it takes such tragedy to prompt action.
“The new road layout, yet to be completed, is a most welcome safety addition but we need to ensure that ongoing safety assessments are planned to inform potential amendments, tweaks and improvements for cyclists, pedestrians and road users alike.”
