11/28/2010
Ireland, UK: Vigilantes Torch Speed CamerasFixed speed camera set on fire in England while a mobile radar van burns in Ireland.
Vigilantes in Ireland and the UK last week eliminated speed cameras by setting them on fire. In West Dorset, England a blue Land Rover Discovery was parked under the automated ticketing machine in Chideock at around 1am on November 20. According to the Dorset Weekender, the SUV was set on fire and the intense flames severely damaged the camera which had previously been targeted with a burning tire attack in August.
Vigilantes also set fire to one of the new speed camera vans in Dundalk, Ireland on Friday at around 4:45am. The speed trap had been set up on Carrick Road when an incendiary device was thrown into the vehicle through the windshield. The van driver, who had been in the back of the vehicle, escaped without harm. The 70,000 euro van was completely destroyed. The attack comes as the Irish government contracted with private companies, including Australia's Redflex, to implement a massive increase in the number of automated ticketing machines on the road.