Traffic controls are implemented under a wide range of regulations, by-laws and temporary rules made under the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 1987. The measures include the making of general traffic regulations by the Minister for the Environment and the making of local traffic and parking by-laws or temporary rules by the Garda Commissioner. The specific application of traffic and parking management measures is achieved through the utilisation of regulatory traffic signs, provided by local authorities either at the request of or with the consent of the Garda Commissioner.
Section 62 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968 provides that the Minister for the Environment may, by order, transfer specified functions of the Garda Commissioner in relation to road traffic and parking controls to a road authority and I am at present considering the extent to which devolution of this kind could be effected.
The built up area speed limit of 30 mph applies to roads in urban areas except those to which an alternative speed limit is applied by regulations made under the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 and 1968. Devolution of powers to local authorities in relation to the application of special speed limits on non-national roads is being considered in the context of the Road Traffic Bill which is currently being drafted.
Local authorities may provide road ramps for restricting the speed of vehicles, and bollards for preventing or restricting the use of a public road by mechanically propelled or animal drawn vehicles. The regulations which set out the procedures applying to the provision of ramps and bollards and which lay down specifications and design features are at present under review and local authorities have been invited to furnish their views on these aspects. In addition, certain local authorities have been asked to carry out experiments with rumble strips so as to assess their effectiveness.
