asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction with the siting of speed limit signs; and, if so, if he will arrange to have them sited in closer proximity to built-up areas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Speed Limit Signs.
38.
I am not aware that there is general dissatisfaction with the siting of speed limit signs. On the question of the review of the Road Traffic (Speed Limit) Regulations, 1963, I would refer the Deputy to my replies to previous questions on the subject and in particular to my replies to Deputy M. J. O'Higgins on 21st February last and Deputy Treacy on 8th instant. If the Deputy feels that there is any particular road on which the application of the built-up area speed limit should be reduced, it is open to him to make representations in the matter to the appropriate local authority who can have it referred to the local technical committee.
Is it a fact that no change in the siting of these signs is likely to take place for at least 12 months and perhaps longer?
No. I should imagine that if changes are proposed at the end of the year by the technical committees and submitted through the appropriate local authorities, and having been considered by the Department, if any changes then were thought necessary and desirable, they would have to be made, say, within the 12 months but I would not say it would be longer.
The Minister appreciates, of course, that there are a number of signs that have been erected in the most nonsensical places. There is no doubt about that. In view of the danger that the public will be inclined to disregard these signs and thereby become used to breaking what is a bad regulation, would the Minister not consider, where it is agreed generally that the siting is unwise, unnecessary and irritating to the public, that no time should be lost in having a change made rather than bring the law into disrepute?
Let me put it this way: if there is nonsensical siting of signs, we in my Department have not been made specifically aware of such instances. If action is to be taken in respect of this type of siting, I would suggest to all and sundry that they should make representations to the local authority within whose area the siting is complained of. The sooner these complaints are made, the quicker we can get around to having the technical committees reconsider the siting and the sooner we can get them in my Department, the quicker we can make any changes that may be necessary.
Will the Minister consider the advisability of appointing one or two officers of his Department for the purpose of checking in certain localities where it is apparent that a change should be made, in order to satisfy himself on this matter?
That, in fact, is the case. As a carry-over from the original investigation, we have a few of our officers who go around the country and would go again if there were new proposals made to them.
Could I ask the Minister what sort of evidence will induce him to prescribe a speed limit for an area at the end of the year? Is it an accident history he is waiting for?
Not at all—common sense suggestions for provisions that are more sensible than those already in existence. We do not want an accident record.
That is what I cannot understand. What is the delay?
Surely county engineers should have a fair idea of where such signs should be placed? If they have not, I do not know what sort of men they must be.
The county engineer had nothing to say in it; neither had the local police.
I should like to make this matter quite clear. A number of Deputies seem to be under a complete illusion about what has gone on in regard to these signs. I have explained time and again that the signs and the speed limit sitings have been in almost all cases decided upon after investigation by a technical committee composed of the engineers of the local authorities, together with members of the Garda, and that the proposals as submitted to my Department had in the interim gone before their own local authority; that it was only after that that my Department came to consider them and that in all cases officers of my Department, in company with a local engineer, visited the area where the speed limit sign has been erected. I do not want anybody to get the idea that these sites were picked at random and signs put up without thought. They have been erected after a great deal of thought and care. It does not follow that they are all in exactly the correct position. We are open to correcting them but it must be shown that the siting is incorrect at the moment.
The Garda have told me they were not consulted.
I am telling the Deputy now that they were.
That is, the local Garda.
I am sure every Garda in the Force was not consulted.
They are the only people who know anything about the area.
Have a bit of sense.