Latest on AA Campaign to fix 'Bad' Speed Limits
Do you know of a poorly set or crazy speed limit anywhere on the country's roads? The AA is collecting examples of what is an ongoing problem. If you have an example and wish to send us an email or a photograph, contact Conor Faughnan by clicking here
AA Ireland has written to newly elected county councils in a new effort to get them to solve an old problem – bad speed limits. The road network is littered with them. There are 80kph signs on dirt tracks and there brand new dual carriageways with 60kph limits.
"We have been asking AA members to submit locations around the country where the speed limit is set badly." Says Director of Policy Conor Faughnan. "Needless to say, there are plenty of examples. Some are debatable, some are obviously bonkers and some are downright dangerous. Now that there are new councils elected nationwide we think it's high time the issue was addressed properly."
Bad speed limits are a blight up and down the country. A poorly set speed limit, whether too high or too low, is worse than useless. It brings the system into disrepute, catches ordinary people out and encourages us all to ignore the signs. The AA is building a list of the worst locations and will be pressing the relevant local authorities to fix them.
Motorists are asked to report locations via the website www.aaireland.ie/news . Where specific locations are reported by multiple sources, the AA adds them to a growing list which will be queried specifically with the relevant local authorities.
"There is roughly an even split between limits that are too high and limits that are too low." Says Faughnan. "When a motorist gets penalty points at these locations it certainly feels like rough justice."
Main types of 'bad' speed limits:
- Minor rural roads with 80kph signs. These are to be found in every county. When a road is so minor that the local authority never legally sets a limit, the national default limit of 80kph applies. Since metrication in 2005 the authorities have been compelled to put up sign posts but not compelled to assess a proper limit.
- Newly built or refurbished main roads that carry limits that are too low. Some of these are arguable. AA wants to see consistency across the country.
- Reclassified primary roads. A stretch of main road which reverted to Regional road status when replaced by new motorway. In some cases these have had limits reduced from 100kph down to 60kph with little reason other than the change in classification.
- Random changes. Following a continuous route the driver sees the limit change several times over a short stretch with no clue from the road as to why this should be.
- Roadworks limits. Drivers frequently report lazy speed limits at the scene of roadworks, where laconic '60' signs lie sloppily in the ditches, often well past the site and often left unattended.
The following is a list of locations identified so far by motorists via www.aaireland.ie/news. The AA expects the eventual list to run to hundreds of locations.
|
County |
No. Locations |
Road |
Speed Limit(Km/h) |
Too high/ Too low |
|
Carlow |
1 |
N80 Carlow by-pass |
80 |
low |
|
Clare |
2 |
N67 Ballyvaughan to Kinarva |
100 |
High |
|
|
|
R446 Birdhill to O'Briens Bridge |
80 |
High |
|
Cork |
2 |
Castletownsend |
80 |
High |
|
|
|
Coulihane Road |
80 |
High |
|
Dublin |
21 |
N7 from M50 to Long Mile road |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
M1 Nthbound Whitehall to M50 |
60/80 |
Low |
|
|
|
M50 Firhouse to Ballinteer |
100 |
Low |
|
|
|
R127 Skerries to Balbriggan |
80 |
Low |
|
|
|
Old Bawn to Bohernabreena |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
Ballyowen Road at Penny's Hill |
50 |
Low |
|
|
|
N11 Cabinteely to Shankill rdbt |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
R828 Glenageary Lodge |
50 |
Low |
|
|
|
M50 access road junct 13-14 northbound |
60/80 |
Low |
|
|
|
M50 Upgraded Section |
100 |
Low |
|
|
|
R116 Cheerywood to ballyboden |
80 |
High |
|
|
|
R117 Sandyford to Kiltiernan |
80 |
High |
|
|
|
N11 Cabinteely to Loughlinstown |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
N11 Donnybrook to Stillorgan |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
N4 Spa Hotel |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
Rock Road |
50 |
Low |
|
|
|
Upper Glenageary Road |
50 |
Low |
|
|
|
Blackrock by-pass |
50 |
Low |
|
|
|
Stephens Green |
30/50 |
Confusing |
|
|
|
N2 Ashbourne to Finglas |
80 |
Low |
|
|
|
N7 Newlands Cross to M7 |
100 |
Low |
|
Galway |
4 |
R336 Spiddal to Inverin |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
N6 Galway by pass |
60 |
Low |
|
|
|
Ros a Mhil side roads |
80 |
High |
|
|
|
N59 Oughterard to Portcarron |
80 |
High |
|
Kerry |
4 |
Killarney to Molls Gap |
100 |
High |
|
|
|
Caherdaniel side roads |
80 |
High |
|
|
|
Off N22 at Clydagh Valley |
80 |
High |
|
|
|
N71 Killarney National Park |
100 |
High |
|
Kildare |
4 |
Various minor roads |
80 |
High |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
N16 |
100 |
High |
|
Limerick |
1 |
N7 Castleconnell to Limerick |
50(works) |
Low |
|
Sligo |
1 |
N16 |
100 |
High |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
Old N8 Durrow to Cashel |
80 |
Low |
|
Waterford |
1 |
Ring road from Dunmore |
60 |
Low |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
Old N4 Kinnegad to Moate |
80 |
Low |
|
Wexford |
1 |
Killenagh road, Ballycanew, Gorey |
80 |
High |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
N11 Glen of the Downs |
80 |
Low |
|
|
|
N11 Kilmacanogue |
60/80 |
Low |