Appeals process for ‘inconsistent’ and ‘silly’ speed limits

Motorists who disagree with “plain daft” speed limits will soon be able to challenge them by using a new appeals process.

Under legislation to be brought forward by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, a driver unhappy with a speed limit can challenge it with their local authority.

If they remain dissatisfied they can appeal this decision to an as yet to be established national body. Mr Varadkar described the process as being similar to that used for planning. The appeals body will be set up either under the department or the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The change follows a review of the process of setting speed limits which made 18 recommendations, including the replacement of 80kmh limit signs on many roads with a new sign without a metric limit.

The new signs, white with a black stripe, are similar to those used the State before 2004 and will be rolled out from next summer in a bid to encourage motorists to use their judgement with regard to the appropriate speed for the road.

Mr Vardakar said the “80kmh limit was sending out the wrong message” and was being treated as a target speed. The legal limit on roads carrying these new signs remains 80kmh.

Some €8 million has been provided for the new signage under a process expected to take two years.

The recommendations are contained in a report by the Speed Limits Working Group which was set up by Mr Varadkar to look at "inconsistent" and "silly" limits. He said most speed limits in the State were correct but "there are plenty that are wrong".

Speed limits had to make sense and “silly signs”, such as 100kmh sign before a dangerous corner, are already being removed as part of a move to ensure limits are “safe and sensible”, he added.

As part of the review some limits, particularly those on newer, large routes, may be increased, although the current motorway limit of 120kmh will not be changed.

Local authorities will retain the authority to set speed limits on local or regional roads, although revised, more proscriptive guidelines will be provided to improve consistency.

Mr Varadkar said local authorities would review every speed limit over the next two years and every five years from then on, to ensure they remain appropriate.

Conor Faughnan, of AA Ireland, said absurd speed limits created cynicism as drivers lost respect for incorrect limits.

“There are examples of boreens with grass growing up the middle with an 80kmh limit. We have to correct those anomalies and create a system people can buy into,” he said.

The RSA warned motorists against buying into the “speed fallacy”, whereby drivers over estimate the time saved by travelling at higher speeds.

Michael Rowland from the RSA said “speed is one of the biggest factors in determining the likelihood of a crash occurring and the severity of the consequences.”

Variable speed limits, which can be adjusted according to weather conditions, traffic or time of day, will also be trailled.