asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the Kildare portion of the Cork-Dublin road has now been signposted by wooden crosses marking the scenes of fatalities by car accidents; if he is aware of the period within which these marked fatalities occurred; and if he will introduce a general speed limit of 55 mph for a trial period on the main Cork-Dublin road.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork-Dublin Road Accidents.
35.
I understand that temporary white wooden crosses have ben erected to mark the sites of fatal accidents on all roads in County Kildare and that these have been provided by a local road safety committee in connection with a recent road safety week. While my Department is not responsible for this particular campaign, I understand that the accidents concerned are those in respect of which local information is available and that in general they took place during the past 15 years. With regard to the third part of the Deputy's question, I would point out that the regulations necessary to impose the "general" speed limit referred to could not be made by me save on the application of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or of the road authorities concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that as the Cork-Dublin road varies greatly in standard from place to place the imposition of a uniform speed limit over its entire length might not be desirable.