Danger warnings spark speed limits outside schools

FOLLOWING warnings of serious risks to children, speed limits are to be erected outside a number of Kerry primary schools located on dangerous stretches of road.

Kerry County Council said it will provide a 60 kilometre per hour speed limit at Derryquay National School outside Tralee on the main road to Dingle once a pilot scheme has been carried out.

School principal Ed O’Brien, who called for speed restrictions, said the school was in an extremely dangerous location.

The current speed limit outside the school is 100km/h. The new limit will be 60km/h and will apply at the start and end of the school day.

The National Roads Authority will carry out a pilot scheme at Foilmore National School near Cahirciveen and evaluate its effectiveness before installing it in other areas.

Since the introduction of metric speed limits in 2005, local authorities are allowed to set 30km/h speed limits and respond to public demands for decreased limits.

There have been calls for reduced speed limits outside several Kerry schools amid warnings children could be killed or injured by vehicles travelling at excessive speed.

Meanwhile, the county council is reviewing speed limits on all roads in Kerry.