Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I agree with the Deputy that speed remains a major problem in respect of road safety. It continues to contribute to an unacceptable level of deaths and accidents on the roads. The faster people go, the more damage is done, whether in the level of fatalities or serious injuries. I strongly support and endorse what the Deputy has stated in respect of tackling speed and the need to ensure speed limits are enforced. This is why we always refer to drink-driving, seat belts and speed, a message with which started many years ago. While there have been great improvements, as everyone has acknowledged, speed remains a major problem.

I refer to the Deputy's remarks on speed limits. I have no difficulty examining a loosening up of the regulations on speed limits, by-laws and so on. That is not a problem. I presume he is referring to the limits of 120 km/h, 100 km/h, 80 km/h, 60 km/h, 50 km/h and 30 km/h. I am unsure whether it needs to be so rigid or whether there is a need to amend the Road Traffic Act. It may be possible to make changes through the regulations and I will examine that possibility.

Deputy Thomas P. Broughan I realise the UK Department for Transport has digital speed maps. There is such a speed map for most cities and most localities in that country. Has the Minister any intention of consider that system? Obviously, there must be a roll-out of speed cameras as well. I have been informed that the revised traffic signs manual has not been republished since the third quarter of 2006. There has been no update for road signs. Does the Minister agree that wherever one may be and on whatever road or street, a person driving should always know the speed limit? This is not the case in Dublin city and most local authority areas throughout the country. We should consider signage to be critically important. A good driver will watch the road in front always. Why not have more road-painted signs? If this were the case and one were to enter Cork city, Dublin city or Wexford town, one would always know the default speed limit. Many people pretend they do not know or are wilfully ignorant.

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