Sales of speed detectors have never been better, according to distributors, since the introduction of penalty points.
With three motorists already officially disqualified from driving for six months and over 167,000 drivers with points, an increasing number of drivers are being tempted to install radar speed detectors and jammers in an attempt to evade detection.
The latest statistics reveal that of the 167,000 points notices issued, 159,000 were for speeding. With such a high percentage of speeders getting points, devices which warn of or jam speed radar guns have become more attractive.
However, gardaí warn that motorists caught using the devices will have them confiscated and risk prosecution.
Despite the clarity of the law and Garda insistence that they will take action, demand for these devices continues to grow. Companies, many operating outside the Republic and advertising on the internet, continue to supply Irish motorists. Business is said to be booming.
Michael Wicken, managing director of Dublin-based suppliers Alfa Radar Systems, says demand for radar detectors has grown enormously since the introduction of points in 2002.
He says that, despite their use being illegal, drivers are willing to pay substantial amounts for his mail-order-only equipment in an attempt to avoid speeding convictions. "People are paying up to €1,200 on detectors and jammers," he says. "Sales have gone up by 20 or 30 times since points were introduced."
With the lack of case law, confusion surrounds the devices says Wicken. "At present it seems to be legal to sell and own them, but illegal to use them."
The technology of detectors and jammers (or radar diffusers) is highly developed. Detectors use a variety of systems, including GPS and microwave sensors to warn of speed checks, while diffusers interfere with the signals sent out by the speed trap to prevent an accurate reading.
As Garda laser speed guns can calculate a vehicle's speed in under one-third of a second, detectors are of little use on their own as the warning often comes too late. This is why some motorists opt for additional laser diffusers, such as the Target Laser Track, which, its makers says, mean motorists will be "guaranteed time to adjust their speed".
One of the units most in demand from Belfast-based speedcameradefence.com, which is said to control 90 per cent of the Republic's supply of detectors, is the BEL Target EVO 966. This uses an antenna hidden behind the front bumper and has a removable matchbox sized unit on the dash. It can detect frequencies used by law enforcers throughout Europe - including Ireland - from up to 1km away. It even uses the latest "anti-radar detector-detector" technology to prevent the device being picked up by a Garda scanner.
Wayne Lyons of the Belfast company, explains that his company is not breaking any laws. "It's totally legal for us to sell these devices - people come from all over to buy them and we post them throughout Europe."
He admits that most of his business is from the Republic. He even has a range of Garda speed detection equipment to give customers a demonstration of his detectors and diffusers, which are sold legally as electronic garage door openers.
"Motorists are paying up to £800 for equipment to make them invincible to all kinds of speed traps."
To reinforce the message that they will not tolerate the use or sale of such devices, gardaí raided premises in Dublin recently and confiscated what they believed to be detectors. A notice has also been sent to the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland, which was subsequently forwarded to Irish publishers, warning that publications should not take adverts for speed gun detectors or jammers.
In Britain it was ruled in 1998 that the use of detectors was not illegal, but the law is clear in Ireland. Since 1991, it has been illegal to use a speed detector here. It's also an offence to import, fit and supply speed detectors and jammers. In addition, the Gardai are empowered to seize such equipment.