Seán Haughey
Question:330 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the speed limits on some roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15286/04]
View answerTuesday, 25 May 2004
Questions (311, 312)
Written answers
The Road Traffic Acts provide for the direct application of speed limits to all roads. A broadly based working group that was established last year to review speed limit policies, against the backdrop of the adoption of metric values for such speed limits, have presented a comprehensive report that incorporates recommendations across a range of areas. The report is available on my Department's website and copies have been placed in the Oireachtas Library.
The group has recommended that default road speed limits, which are applied directly under an Act of the Oireachtas, should range from 120 km/h, equivalent to 74.580 mph, on motorways to 50 km/h, equivalent to 31.075, in built-up areas. The recommendations include that a default limit of 100 km/h, equivalent to 62.150 mph, should apply to a national road and a default limit of 80 km/h, equivalent to 49.720 mph, for non-urban regional and local roads.
I have given careful consideration to the group's proposals and I intend to bring the necessary legislative proposals needed to support the new speed limit structure based on the group's report before the Oireachtas shortly. The Road Traffic Acts provide that local authorities may make by-laws through which the speed limits that apply on a default basis can be changed in respect of roads specified in such by-laws. These by-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. 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 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 by-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 2004 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. 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 by-laws, which will see more appropriate speed limits applied. Where, on the other hand, 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.
Seán Haughey
Question:331 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Transport his plans to prevent the use of mobile phones by drivers in their vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15287/04]
View answerI have been advised by the Attorney General that the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2002 are open to challenge in the Courts on the grounds that they may be ultra vires. A legislative framework to address the overall regulatory questions arising from the development of in-car technologies, which would include mobile phones, is being pursued at present.