Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 May 2004
166 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of licences which have had penalty points attached to them due to breaking the speed limit at the 43 locations around the country listed in correspondence to local authority managers as part of a review of speed limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13779/04]
View answer167 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the speed limit at the 43 locations around the country listed in correspondence to local authority managers as part of a review of speed limits; the specific locations involved; when he hopes that this specific review is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13780/04]
View answer168 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when the general review of speed limits as directed by him to the local authority managers will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13781/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 to 168, inclusive, together.
The Road Traffic Acts provide for the direct application of speed limits to all roads. Under the provisions of these Acts, a default speed limit of 30 miles per hour applies to all roads, apart from motorways, in a built-up area and a general speed limit of 60 miles per hour applies to all roads outside such areas apart from motorways. A default speed limit of 70 miles per hour applies in the case of motorways. The Acts provide that local authorities may make bye-laws through which the speed limits that apply on a default basis can be changed in respect of roads specified in such bye-laws. These bye-laws are made by the elected members of the local authorities following consultation with the Garda Commissioner and, in the case of national roads, with the consent of the National Roads Authority, NRA.
In the context of an overall review of speed limits carried out against the background of the metrication of such limits generally, county and city managers were asked in January 2003 to examine the position in relation to their areas. The primary focus of the examination was to ensure that the disapplication of default speed limits and the application of special speed limits were supported by bye-laws. In addition, the authorities were asked to look at instances where speed limits might not be appropriate and to take any action they deemed to be appropriate. My Department subsequently wrote to managers in March 2003 repeating the request to look at possible instances of inappropriate speed limits and outlining the overall position in relation to the progress for metrication of speed limits later this year.
Both the Automobile Association and the Society for the Irish Motor Industry recently presented me with lists of locations in respect of which they had received representations questioning the speed limits currently in place. In order to assist managers in the review referred to above, they have been advised of the locations identified in the submissions of the two organisations. Managers have specifically been asked to look at these locations and if the local authority considers that the speed limit is not appropriate, that steps should be taken to introduce appropriate amendments to the bye-laws, which will see more appropriate speed limits applied. On the other hand, where the local authority considers that a speed limit in question is appropriate, they have been asked to consider the provision of a sign informing road users of the need for that limit.
The enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the Garda Síochána. Where a person either pays a fixed charge or is convicted of a speed limit offence, data necessary to ensure that penalty points are endorsed in the person's licence record is forwarded to my Department. That data does not include a reference to the location at which the breaching of the speed limit occurred.
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LIST OF SPEED LIMIT LOCATIONS CRITICISED AS BEING INAPPROPRIATE |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fingal County Council |
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|
Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Darndale/Clarehall |
N32 onto the M50 |
30 |
40 |
No obvious reason for low limit |
|
Grange Road, Baldoyle |
30 |
40 |
Excellent wide road — very good visibility |
|
|
Blanchardstown Bypass, Dual Carriageway |
N3 |
40 |
60 |
Dual Carriageway, no obvious reason for low limit. |
|
Dublin |
R132 |
40 |
50 |
M1 to Dublin Airport 2 lanes into 4 lanes |
|
Dublin Road. Swords Roundabout to Stockhole Lane |
N1 |
40 |
50 |
No obvious reason for low limit |
|
Grange Road Baldoyle to roundabout at Hole in the Wall Rd. |
Grange Road |
30 |
40 |
Serious decline in Road to bridge from Donaghmeade and road is wide. |
|
The Hole in the Wall Road, Dublin 13 |
30 |
40 |
Open country road |
|
|
N1 Between Coachman’s Roundabout and Airside Business Park |
N1 |
40 |
50 |
Dual Carriageway — good stretch of road |
|
Estuary Road, Malahide |
30 |
40 |
Open country road |
|
|
N32 (link road from M50/M1 to Malahide road) |
N32 |
40 |
50 |
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LIST OF SPEED LIMIT LOCATIONS CRITICISED AS BEING INAPPROPRIATE |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dublin City Council |
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|
Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Navan Rd from Halfway House to Cabra Rd |
N3 |
30 |
40 |
|
|
Donnybrook Garage to Loughlinstown roundabout |
N11 |
40 |
50 |
Dual Carriageway |
|
Montrose |
N11 |
30 |
50 |
30mph is too dangerous on such a wide road |
|
Belfield |
N11 |
40 |
50 |
Dual Carriageway, no obvious reason for low limit, very hard for motorists to comply |
|
From Foxrock to RTE |
N11 |
40 |
50 |
Wide road with QBC and cycle lanes |
|
Naas Road- from MDL to Longmile Road interchange |
N7 |
30 |
40 |
Kylemore Road to Red Cow in and out. 3 lane carriageway, impossible to keep 30 limit |
|
From Red Cow to Inchicore |
N7 |
30 |
40 |
|
|
Red Cow Roundabout to Newlands Cross |
N7 |
40 |
50/60 |
Three lane road on a straight stretch. |
|
Kilbarrack Rd onto TonlageeRd |
R104 |
30 |
40 |
No obvious reason for low limit. |
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James Larkin Rd at the Mount Prospect junction |
30 |
40 |
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Heuston Station, St. John’s Road West |
30 |
40 |
Dual carriageway. 30 too low Heuston Station to South Circular. Difficult to keep to 30 |
|
|
Clontarf Road to Fairview, |
Clontarf Road |
30 |
40 |
Road is wide enough to take increase in limit. Very hard to keep below 30 mph — Taxis and buses overtaking in bus lane. |
|
Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of Complainant(s) |
|
Donnybrook Garage to Loughlinstown roundabout |
N11 |
40 |
50 |
Dual Carriageway |
|
Belfield, Co. Dublin |
N11 |
40 |
50 |
Dual Carriageway, no obvious reason for low limit, very hard for motorists to comply |
|
From Foxrock to RTE |
N11 |
40 |
50 |
Wide road with QBC and cycle lanes |
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Cabinteely, Co. Dublin |
N11 |
30 |
50 |
Good quality dual carriageway, No obvious reason for low limit |
|
Ballinteer |
M50 |
60 |
70 |
No obvious reason for low limit once clear of Ballinteer interchange |
|
Dundrum By-Pass |
Proposed regional |
30 |
40 |
2 exits only on this road |
|
Glenageary Road, Extension |
R118 |
30 |
40 |
Straight Road — no turn offs on this road — no reason for low limit — very hard for motorists to comply. |
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Braemore Rd. Churchtown |
R112 |
30 |
40 |
Straight Rd. Plenty of visibility although it is residential. |
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Church Rd., Dún Laoghaire, Deer Hunter |
R118 |
30 |
40 |
Continuation of Church Road — 40 mph — walls segregating road from housing estates. |
|
Road between Glenageary & the Graduate pub roundabouts |
30 |
40 |
The limit should be the same as next section down Church Rd because road is wide, has good visibility, no side access roads. |
|
|
Netownpark Ave joining Whites Cross |
30 |
40 |
This steep hill makes it difficult not to exceed 30mph |
|
|
Clonkeen Road |
30 |
40 |
Straight road with slip roads for housing |
|
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Scholarstown to Dundrum (M50) |
60 |
70 |
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LIST OF SPEED LIMIT LOCATIONS CRITICISED AS BEING INAPPROPRIATE |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Dublin County Council |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Naas Road |
N7 |
30 |
40/60 |
Kylemore Road to Red Cow in and out- from MDL to Long Mile Interchange. 3 lane carriageway impossible to keep 30 limit |
|
Red Cow to Newlands Cross |
N7 |
40 |
50/60 |
Three lane road on a straight stretch. |
|
M50 Tallaght Exit to Spawell Roundabout |
30/40 |
50 |
Difficult to comply with. |
|
|
Lucan Road |
N4 |
40 |
50 |
M50 Roundabout to Foxhunter in and out 3 lane carriageway hard to keep 40 limit |
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Joining Lucan Road from M50 (heading West) |
40 |
60 |
Most traffic moves to 60mph outside rush hour |
|
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M50 from Tallaght to Dundrum |
M50 |
60 |
70 |
As this road is an extension of the 70mph M50 |
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Spawell Hotel to M50 |
N7 |
various limits |
50-60 |
There should be one limit and 50 at the intersection |
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Dodder Park Road from Rathfarnham to Templeogue Rd. |
40 |
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Naas Road leading to Rathcoole |
N7 |
40 |
60 |
Road is very dangerous due to low speed |
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From Knocklyon to Dundrum roundabout |
M50 |
60 |
70 |
Motorway with no exits or slip roads |
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N4 from M50 roundabout to bridge at Woodies (Lucan) |
40 |
increase |
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(as applicable) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Dunkettle Roundabout, Cork to Tivoli |
N8 |
40 |
50 |
Double lane dual carriageway, straight road |
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Blackpool by-pass, Cork |
N20 |
30 |
40 |
Four lane wide dual carriageway |
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Mallow Road inbound between Commons Inn and Polefield area |
N20 |
30 |
40 |
|
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Cork City, Silver Springs, outbound |
N25 |
40 |
50 |
Dual carriageway, no obvious reason for low limit, very hard for motorists to comply |
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Lr. Tivoli Road to Cork City |
N8- |
30 |
40 |
Good straight road and surface — reduce to 25 at railway bridge (accident spot). |
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Cork: Tower to Blarney Road |
R617 |
30 |
40 |
|
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Cork: Classic Cross to Ballincollig West |
N22 |
30 |
40 |
|
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Cork: Carrohane Road from Poulavane roundabout to Blarney junction |
30 |
40 |
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Cork: Ballincollig Killumney Road adj. St. Oliver’s cemetery |
30 |
40 |
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Cork: Fountainstown to O’Leary Cross |
60 |
40 |
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East Cork, Castlemartyr |
R632 |
30 |
40 |
Not a built up area |
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Cork: Into Mallow from Cork Rd, 0202 |
N20 |
40 |
50 |
Double lane carriageway up to a roundabout (back from the roundabout is 30) |
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Cork: Douglas to Ardfallen |
R610 |
30 |
40 |
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LIST OF SPEED LIMIT LOCATIONS CRITICISED AS BEING INAPPROPRIATE |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wexford County Council |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
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New Ross town to Clonroche |
N30 |
60 |
50/40/30 in places |
Numerous junctions / poor vision / narrow road in places and a lot of truck traffic |
|
Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
N25 into New Ross from Waterford (1 mile out) |
N25 |
30 |
40 |
Good straight wide road |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Sallypark Road Waterford |
30 |
40 |
Wide, clear road |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of Complainant(s) |
|
Patrickswell Bypass |
60 |
50 |
Poor street lighting, road is narrow & vulnerable to high winds |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of Complainant(s) |
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Galway By-Pass: Tuam Road Roundabout to Menlo Park Hotel; |
30 |
50 |
Dual Carriageway, no obvious reason for low limit |
|
|
Tuam Road to Headford Road |
Speed limit should be made higher on this quiet 4 lane road |
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Quincentenniel Bridge |
30 |
40 |
No obvious reason for low limit |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Inner By-pass, Louth |
30 |
Increase |
Present limit is not being observed and is constantly broken. |
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LIST OF SPEED LIMIT LOCATIONS CRITICISED AS BEING INAPPROPRIATE |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kerry County Council |
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Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Tralee Road approaching Farranfore |
N22 |
30 |
50 |
|
Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of Complainant(s) |
|
Road between M50 and Leixlip |
40 |
50 |
Limit of 40mph is totally unnecessary |
|
|
Leixlip to Celbridge Road |
R404 |
30 |
increase |
30mph is low for stretch past Hewlett Packard |
|
Location |
Road Number |
Speed Limit |
Suggested Limit |
Comments of complainant(s) |
|
Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow |
N11 |
40 |
60 |
Dual carriageway between two 60 mph units — ignored by majority of motorists |
|
Arklow By-Pass |
N11 |
60 |
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|
Collimore to Rathnew |
N11 |
40 |
60 |
Despite roadworks 40mph is too low to allow compliance on such a good road |
|
Wicklow: Southern Cross Road, Bray |
R768 |
40 |
50 |
Plenty of visibility on this road. Not a built up area. No reason for low limit. |
169 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to introduce the reduced speed limits outside schools; the type of reduction envisaged outside schools at which the national speed limit applies; if there is to be a differential at these schools between national routes and county roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13791/04]
View answerRecommendations have been made by the working group on the review of speed limits in relation to the application of special arrangements for speed limits in the vicinity of schools where they are deemed to be necessary by the relevant city or county council. It was further recommended that these special arrangements would be deployed only at the location during periods when children are entering and leaving the school.
Legislation to support the introduction of new structures for speed limits, which include provisions to facilitate the application of those arrangements, is currently being drafted based on the general scheme of a Road Traffic Bill recently approved by Government. I hope that this legislation will be introduced in the Oireachtas shortly, with a view to its passage being completed during the current session.
