The detection rate for speeding offences has tumbled by more than half in the space of a year, a meeting of the City Joint Policing Committee was told.

Members expressed shock at the reduction in detection, with the numbers down by 52% – at a time when heavier enforcement was being called for, with the introduction of the new 30km/h city limit.

Between January and September, 2,714 drivers were caught driving in excess of the speed limit compared to 5,701 in the same period last year.

Cllr Alan Curran (Soc Dem) asked if more could be done to target early-morning speeders, an issue which, he said, was created by quieter roads.

Chief Supt Roche said the majority of speed detection was now carried out by ‘Go Safe’ vans and while gardaí were asked for their opinion on the various locations for the vans, their positioning was determined by the Road Safety Authority.

Chairperson of the JPC, Cllr Niall McNelis (Lab) said a campaign was required to reinforce the existence of the new 30km/h zone and said Go Safe vans were required in a number of locations in the city where there were repeated instances of speeding.

At the same time, there was a surge in the rate detection for driving while using a phone, up by 55% to 503 incidents.

Pictured: Cllr Alan Curran, Social Democrats, asked if more could be done to target early-morning speeders.