Call for new speed signs in rural areas
Cllr Mike Bray has called for 80km/h speed signs on local rural roads to be replaced with ‘Go Mall / Slow’ signs during a motion he tabled at the July meeting of Meath County Council.
The ‘Go Mall / Slow’ sign is called the Rural Speed Limit sign. This sign was introduced by the Department of Transport in 2015 as an alternative sign where a speed limit of 80 km/h was displayed in which it is not safe or possible to drive at that speed.
Cllr Bray said: "I have raised this matter, as many in rural communities across Meath are very concerned at the presence of 80km/h signs at the start of rural roads.
"Those of us who live on rural roads know that a speed of 80km/h is not possible and if this speed is reached it is a great danger to residents and other road users.
"Unfortunately, many drivers see speed signs of 80km/h as a target rather than a limit.
"This is particularly an issue with road users who are not local to an area and do not use rural roads regularly. It seems irresponsible to be informing drivers, who are not familiar with the local area or road, that they can drive up to a speed of 80km/h.
"While there are a number of ‘Go Mall / Slow’ sign in place in Co Meath, I have only seen them on cul-de-sac lanes. However, I believe these signs should also be put in place on rural and local roads to replace the 80km/h signs.
"Westmeath County Council have these signs in place at the start of many of their rural roads and I believe Meath should follow suit and put more of these signs up on our rural roads.
"The Department’s definition of the local secondary roads are roads which are narrower than four metres. The Department also states that the ‘Go Mall / Slow’ signs are permitted to be erected on local secondary roads.
"We all know it is not possible and very dangerous to be driving at 80km/h on a rural road which is narrower than four metres.
"Following my motion I look forward to working with the council to see the replacement of 80km/h signs with ‘Go Mall / Slow’ signs across roads in our rural communities," concluded Cllr Bray.