asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that, owing to the unrealistic and unenforceable speed limit provisions at present prescribed for many roads in and near the city and suburbs of Dublin, these speed limits are frequently disregarded; and whether he will cause a review of the present arrangements for speed limits with a view to practicality and the enforcement of the law.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Speed Limits.
66.
I do not accept that speed limits on roads in and around Dublin are unrealistic. In determining a speed limit in any particular case regard is had to the opinion of the Garda and the road authority, the design of the road and the general traffic considerations. Enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the Garda.
Is the Minister aware that, according to a recent report of An Foras Forbartha, 50 per cent of motorists are ignoring speed limits?
I am aware that speed limits are being ignored.
This is not the fault of the Garda who are already overstretched in other matters, but is the Minister aware that in some suburban estates, to my own knowledge in the constituency of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown, young people and senior citizens are put in jeopardy daily by speeding motorists?
I am so aware.
What action will be taken or what does the Minister intend doing in relation to this serious problem?
The Garda are doing a very good job but, as the Deputy pointed out, they have at this moment other very heavy duties, security duties, which are placing a heavy burden on their strength.
So all we can do is to continue to appeal to the best in motorists not to speed? On that basis would the Minister agree that the Department of Local Government should conduct a campaign indicating the necessity for motorists to pay attention to the speed limit?
I think that would be a good idea.
Could the Minister give an indication of how many devices are available in the country to Garda for checking speeds?
I have not that information but I will ask the Department concerned to forward that information to the Deputy.
I should like to ask the Minister if he would consider installing "rumble strips" on the roads in suburban estates. These are erected to slow down speeding vehicles and are very effective. They are used extensively in America.
I will convey the recommendation to the Minister for Local Government.
67.
asked the Minister for Local Government if the review of speed limits has been completed; and, if so, when the outcome will be made known.
The review of speed limits other than the general speed limit is a continuing process carried out on a county by county basis. Separate regulations are made to implement the decisions taken in respect of each county.
68.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider introducing on-the-spot fines for drivers who exceed the speed limit in cases where it is not possible to serve a sumons on them because they are resident outside the jurisdiction of the State.
The application of the so called "fines on-the-spot" system to breaches of the speed limits would not get over the difficulty to which the Deputy calls attention. That system does not require the immediate payment of a fine but gives the person alleged to have committed an offence the option of paying the prescribed amount within a given time at the appropriate Garda station or of being prosecuted in court. If a person resident outside the jurisdiction does not elect to make payment accordingly, the difficulty of bringing him to court would remain.
Is the Minister aware that in Slane in County Meath the people are very worried about traffic coming from outside the jurisdiction down the steep hill? Such traffic is a hazard to everybody. Two lorries crashed into the bridge at the bottom of the hill during the past year.
Seeing that, like the Deputy, I have close association with Slane, I am so aware.
69.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is now in a position to sanction the recommendation to extend the 30 mph speed limit on Kilcullen Road, Naas, County Kildare, which was submitted for his approval in January last.
No such recommendation has been submitted for my approval. However, the Deputy's representations have been noted in my Department for consideration when speed limits in County Kildare are next reviewed.