asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that three children have been injured in traffic accidents on Rafters Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, in recent weeks and that the residents are requesting that a speed limit of 20 mph be imposed on that roadway; and if he will approve their application.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Speed Limit.
58.
I understand from the Garda Síochána that three children were injured, none seriously, in separate road accidents on Rafters Road on 3rd May last, 8th July and 3rd October. I also understand that children frequently play on the roadway.
Rafters Road is subject to a speed limit of 30 mph in common with most other roads in the Dublin area. This is the built-up-area speed limit as defined in the Road Traffic Act, 1961. There are similar roads in housing estates in numerous built-up areas throughout the country and it is not considered that providing a speed limit lower than that laid down in the Act is warranted. A speed limit is a maximum one and it does not permit drivers to travel at that speed if traffic conditions, or other considerations, for example, the presence of children, indicate that it would be unsafe to do so.
Will the Minister approve the erection of a sign on the roadway in question to indicate to motorists that it is, as the Minister has described it, a place in which children frequently play? Would there be any statutory difficulty in erecting there a sign stating that children frequently play there?
I will approve of any such proposal.