Local Fine Gael Councillor, Neale Richmond has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD that he is to conduct a nationwide audit of speed limits.

“I welcome the announcement by the Minister today. This audit is long overdue and is vital to ensure that all speed restrictions are both safe and sensible. The aim of the audit is to start overhauling the inconsistencies between different counties and regions and put and end to confusion among drivers. Although this process is expected to take some time, the audit will be a crucial first step.”

“Recent road safety measures like speed cameras and new drink driving laws have gone a long way towards improving road safety, however, we need to ensure that the right speed limits are in operation on the right roads. We all know of cases where speed limits are inappropriately low or inappropriately high. There can be some confusion among drivers about the various speed limits which should and do apply, as well as the approach to speed limit signage on national, regional and local roads.”

“Speed limit bands are set by the Minister for Transport, however, specific limits applied on particular roads are determined by local authorities, in consultation with the Gardai and in respect of national primary and secondary roads with the NRA. As it stands there is a blanket speed limit of 50km per hour across Dun Laoghaire Rathdown with the exception of routes such as the N11 and M50.

“This audit will be conducted by the NRA and local authorities in consultation with the Department of Transport and I would encourage local residents to highlight their concerns to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council”