Cullen raps failure to use speed limit law

THE failure of local authorities to introduce special speed limits for roads outside schools and other high-risk locations has been criticised by Minister for Transport Martin Cullen.

Since early 2005, following the metrication of speed limits, councils are allowed to set 30km/h speed limits, and also to respond topublic demands for existing limits to be either increased or decreased.

Mr Cullen told the NRA conference on road safety in Dublin yesterday, which included many local authority representatives, that he was unhappy with the poor response to the setting of special speed limits.

“I am not satisfied that the local authorities are addressing, with respect to their areas, the necessity or potential for special speed limits in the interests of road safety,” said the minister.

Mr Cullen wrote last month to city and county managers across the country to express his concern at the lack of use of such powers by local authorities.

Following media reports which questioned the legality of some speed limit by-laws, Mr Cullen has also asked for individual reports on what measures local authorities have taken to ensure the validity of legal limits.

“There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that local authorities have not done a lot,” Mr Cullen remarked.

He pointed out that he had specifically granted powers to local authorities to set speed limits in order to benefit from their knowledge in relation to particularly accident black spots within their own area.

Mr Cullen said it was very difficult for central government to know what was the best speed limit for particular areas around the country such as schools, hospitals and sports grounds.

“Clearly there is enough evidence out there to suggest that action is needed on special speed limits for a variety of reasons within any given local area,” said Mr Cullen.

The minister also confirmed that a ban on the use of handheld mobile phones while driving will be included in the forthcoming Road Safety Bill.

The legislation which is expected to be passed by the end of the summer will also copper-fasten the powers of gardaí to carry out random breath testing as well as allowing for the privatisation of speed cameras.

Mr Cullen said the use of handheld phones would also be added to the list of offences under the penalty points system.