How effective are speed ramps in Limerick?
How effective are speed ramps in Limerick?Well, there are two schools of thought on this bumpy subject from our all-knowing local councillors.
At last week’s Travel and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee meeting at City Hall, members discussed the issue of speed ramps.
The general consensus from most councillors was that speed bumps are not a deterrent for non-compliant motorists but are a necessity to combat the problem in housing estates.
According to City East Sinn Fein councillor Séighin Ó Ceallaigh, irresponsible drivers recreate scenes from 1970s’ TV show ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ as they drive over ramps at high speeds in many housing estates.
“They are flying over these ramps at 50 and 60 miles an hour,” he claimed.
“They don’t work on irresponsible drivers.”
Labour councillor Elena Secas was of the view thatt he council should be working with the Gardaí to address the speeding issue.
Labour colleague Frankie Daly, chairman of the Travel and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee, believes that speed ramps are a “necessary evil”.
“They could save a child’s life. They are absolutely crucial,” he said.
And some of the council’s country cousins believed more speed ramps are needed in rural areas.
Fine Gael councillor for Adare-Rathkeale, Adam Teskey, told council members that speed limits are not abided to in County Limerick. He wants to see regular Garda speed checks in areas of the county where people are known to drive at high speed.
Fianna Fail councillor for Cappamore-Kilmallock, Michael Donergan pointed out that there were speed limits of 80kph on national roads outside primary schools in rural areas. He said he was getting “mixed messages” in his municipal district on the effectiveness of speed ramps and called for urgent action on a review of speed limits.
Independent councillor for Adare-Rathkeale, Richard O’Donoghue was of the definite view that more speed ramps are needed in rural areas. He claimed that the lack of Garda resources in the county meant that speeding was not properly policed and called for more speed ramps as a deterrent.
“Ramps have to be introduced. They are essential. They are the only thing that are going to make drivers slow down,” said Cllr O’Donoghue.
Fianna Fail councillor for City West, Sean Lynch, a former Garda detective, looked at technology and intelligent transport systems for the answers.
“It is the same offenders all the time. Putting a driver’s speed up on a speed limit sign isn’t a deterrent. But what if we could put the driver’s registration number up on these signs and it is then fed into a database and taken from there?” he suggested.
by Alan Jacques
