Speed limit review a ‘kneejerk’ reaction

“Every single death is a tragedy for the victims' families, friends and communities"

Plans to reduce speed limits nationally, in the face of rising road deaths, have been branded a “knee jerk reaction” by Aontú's Sarah O'Reilly who instead wants the government to pump more money into upgrading road surfaces.

New proposals are being brought before Cabinet proposing a reduction in the speed limit on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h; while a limit of 30km/h is being suggested for built-up urban areas.

The change is part of a review announced the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers.

Speaking at the October meeting of Cavan County Council, Cllr O'Reilly acknowledged: “Every single death is a tragedy for the victims' families, friends and communities. However, I feel this may be impulsive - not fully thought through – a knee jerk reaction to an issue that is much more complicated,” stated Cllr O'Reilly.

She insisted that speed is not the only contributory factor to fatal road accidents.

"For example, motorways have a high speed limit and are four times safer than single [carriageways] because they are safe and, as I am regularly reminded by the Council, the speed limit is not a target,” contended the Bailieborough representative.

In rural counties such as Cavan, Cllr O'Reilly suggested that the quality of the road network plays a part in terms of road safety.

“Bad roads, bumpy roads, potholes, roads with the entire edges eroded, poor lighting, water running onto public roads," she listed off as potential hazards.

She remarked that there was "no mention" of these in the legislation being debated.

"No, because that might be pointing the finger squarely at government themselves for the shocking, inadequate funding they allocate to local authorities to resolve these issues,” argued the Aontu councillor.

Cllr O'Reilly said people are "incensed" by some of the new proposals.

"Punishing every single motorist in the country who, in the main, are responsible road users is not the answer. The public feel they are once again being targeted as an easy scapegoat designed to take the focus of the real issues with our roads.”

She described the Road Safety Authority as “jumping on the bandwagon” following the speed limit review announcement, after they too appeared to “place the blame squarely on the shoulders of motorists and in particular, young motorists".

Cllr O'Reilly continued: "Again, no mention of dangerous driving, use of mobile phones, texting, drugs, drink, cyclists or suicides. No mention of over growing trees and hedges jutting out onto the road forcing HGV, bus and van drivers to drive on the middle of the road to avoid damaging their vehicles or ripping the mirrors off- a mirror costs €350 and upwards."

She asked what the RSA is doing about these issues? "Can they justify their future existence to the taxpayer? Isn’t it time the RSA talked to regular road users, lorry drivers, couriers, hauliers? Isn’t it time they did something other than the easy option of blaming the motorist?” lambasted Cllr O'Reilly.

In far-reaching speech, she also highlighted the issue of enforcement of existing road laws by gardaí.

“Are they resourced enough to properly police dangerous driving? Or are they choosing the easy option too? It is very easy to place yourself just inside a 50km limit with a speed gun – shooting fish in a barrel comes to mind.”

She concluded by referencing the 2022 published Transport, Infrastructure Ireland (TII) 12-page pre-budget briefing document, which claimed that a cut in funding could lead to 'increases in fatalities and serious injuries' due to 'delays to new projects and improvement on dangerous sections of national roads'.

“The document actually named the bypass in Virginia saying four lives would be lost and five predicted injuries if the project was delayed. This is very serious. Therefore, I propose we write to the Minister for transport and impress upon him the urgent need for adequate roads funding in budget 2023, it being a matter of life and death.”

Her motion was supported by Fianna Fáil's John Paul Feeley said that any changes to speed limits should be based on “hard evidence”.

He also criticised how the government had found €10 million to spend on a new fleet of speed vans.

“Their purpose is not road safety,” he stated. “It is to raise money for the providers.”

Cllr Feeley further remarked on the “militant attitude” of some cyclists, those who fail to wear hi-visibility jackets, and drivers who don't use their indicators.

“I never or rarely ever see prosecutions for dangerous behaviour of that nature.”

He suggested the change of speed limits was borne of a “need to be seen to do something”.

Cathaoirleach Philip Brady also offered his support, criticising the positioning of speed vans at locations such as the overtaking lane outside of Butlersbridge or at Corduff Cross.

“They seem to do it at blind spots,” he said.

Independent Shane P. O'Reilly reminded the councillors of his past motion calling for an NCT equivalent for roads; while Fine Gael's Peter McVitty decried not being able to cut roadside hedging between mid-February and the end of September.

He thought it laughable that a speed limit of 80kmph applies on some rural “bog roads” where there is no chance of a car reaching those speeds given the condition.

There was support too from Cllrs Clifford Kelly (FF) and TP O'Reilly (FG).