Tag Archives: speeding

An Garda Síochána, will conduct a national speed enforcement operation “Slow Down”, supported by Clare County Council, the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders for a 24-hour period from 7am on Friday next to 7am on Saturday. The objective of the initiative is to reduce the number of speed-related collisions. The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood is of a collision happening and the more severe the outcome of that collision. As a general rule a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 4% reduction in fatal collisions, and this is why reducing motorists’ speed is essential to improving road safety. The “Slow Down” operation will consist of high-visibility speed enforcement activities as well as the delivery of a road safety message through the media. In addition, Garda personnel will man display stands at key venues to provide road safety advice and distribute road safety leaflets.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has published a new document, the aim of which is to provide advice and guidance to those charged with responsibility for imposing speed limits. Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits will also ensure that greater consistency is applied where speed limits are concerned. The guidelines provide for the introduction of new road signage to deal with speed limits in rural areas on minor local roads and for the implementation of new urban ‘Slow Zones’ in residential areas to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h. Minister Donohoe said, “Speed limits should not be seen by drivers as setting a target speed, or as being appropriate in all conditions, nor are they intended to be. Drivers must, take responsibility to drive at a safe speed appropriate to the particular road and surrounding environment, while not exceeding the posted speed limit’. “The purpose of the guidelines is to provide advice and guidance to local authority engineers, and …

Reverend Canon Bob Hanna has had a driving ban lifted against him, having appealed his conviction for speeding at Monday’s sitting of Ennis Circuit Court. The Church of Ireland cleric had received a six-month driving ban for speeding on the N18 at Bunratty, where he was travelling at 135km per hour in a 100km zone on April 17 last. He was convicted in his absence at an Ennis District Court sitting in December and received a six month driving ban and €500 fine. Canon Hanna appealed the conviction and at Ennis Circuit Court on Monday his appeal was heard.  It was outlined that the defendant was “abusive and aggressive” towards the garda who detected the speeding offence and a written apology was proferred to the court. Presiding Judge Tom O’Donnell ordered that the driving ban be lifted and he reduced the €500  fine to €250.

TRAFFIC calming measures which have already proven to be a success at reducing speed in other parts of Ennis are now to be introduced on the Circular Road. Ennis Town Council are planning to install two digital speed signs on the Circular Road between Golf Links Road and Cloughleigh Road roundabout, with senior executive engineer Eamon O’Dea stating that the installation will take place “soon.” Mr O’Dea, speaking at a meeting of Ennis West county councillors stated that the council were aware of the concern about speeding in the area. He was responding to a notice of motion by Councillor Tony Mulqueen calling for traffic calming on the Circular Road and a pedestrian crossing. Mr O’Dea stated, “Ennis Town Council’s roadwork’s programme is providing two digital speed signs on Circular Road between Golf Links Road and Cloughleigh Road roundabout. The speed of traffic will be evaluated before and after their installation and historically they have reduced traffic speed thus making …