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Speed Limits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2005

Tuesday, 8 February 2005

Questions (316)

Michael Lowry

Question:

368 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); his views on the project proposed; if he will consider facilitating the project and providing the necessary funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3827/05]

View answer

Written answers

The working group that carried out a review of speed limit structures and policies in 2003 noted in its report of September 2003 that particular road safety issues may arise at school locations at certain times during school term time. The group recognised that these concerns could not be addressed through the speed limit policies that were available for deployment at that time. The group recommended that a regime to allow for the application of special speed limits to be applied at critical times when children are entering or leaving school where there is a recognised safety risk should be considered.

The group also expressed the view that the application of special speed limits might lead to the deployment of a 30 km/h speed limit at selected locations but cautioned that great care must be exercised with the deployment of that speed limit, especially on roads in rural areas, as the application of such a low speed threshold over a short stretch of road could of itself compromise safety.

The Road Traffic Act 2004 responds to those recommendations by the inclusion of provisions that allow both for the deployment of special speed limits of 30 km/h and the use of speed limits for particular periods. The Road Traffic Act 2004 also provides that the Minister for Transport may issue guidelines to county and city councils in respect of the making of speed limit by-laws. The use of the 30 km/h speed limit must be in accordance with provisions in such guidelines. A consultation process involving county and city councils generally in regard to draft guidelines is being pursued in advance of their completion.

It is a matter for county and city councils to decide whether to apply such speed limit arrangements in their areas through the inclusion of appropriate provisions in speed limit by-laws made for the purpose of applying special speed limits generally. The councils must consult with the Garda Commissioner and with minor local authorities in their administrative area in regard to special speed limit proposals and, in the case of national roads, must obtain the consent of the National Roads Authority.

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