Dempsey to review speed regulations on roads network

MINISTER FOR Transport Noel Dempsey said he would examine regulations governing speed limits on Irish roads.

“I am unsure whether they need to be so rigid or whether there is a need to amend the Road Traffic Act,” he added. “It may be possible to make changes through the regulations and I will examine that possibility.”

Mr Dempsey said he would support anything that would help to reduce the level of speeding, adding he was unsure why there were not more speed limits painted on to the roads. He said he would take up the matter with the Road Safety Authority.

He was replying to Labour spokesman Tommy Broughan, who asked if the new 30km/h speed limit for Dublin city should be extended to other cities and towns. Mr Dempsey said that in setting a speed limit, a local authority must assess various factors with the primary focus being on road safety.

“Any assessment of the impact of the new 30km/h zone in Dublin city centre is a matter for the city council,” he added.

Mr Broughan said that speed continued to be a major problem, with a survey stating that 65 per cent of articulated drivers were free-speeding, or in excess of the speed limit, on local roads.

Some 60 per cent of motorists were speeding in urban areas, while almost the same number were speeding on local and regional roads.

The 2008 collisions report, said Mr Broughan, had stated that some 54 per cent of single vehicle fatal collisions were blamed on speeding.

“Clearly, this is a major issue,” he added.

Mr Dempsey said he agreed that speed remained a major problem in respect of road safety. “It continues to contribute to an unacceptable level of deaths and accidents on the roads. The faster people go, the more damage is done, whether in the level of fatalities or serious injuries.”

Mr Dempsey said he strongly supported and endorsed what Mr Broughan had stated about tackling speed and the need to ensure speed limits were enforced.

“That is why we always refer to drink-driving, seat belts and speed, a message which started many years ago,” he added.