Buckin Fastarding Gardaí

[Junior]

In their Wisdom here is the latest Garda *idea*

Gardai call for new speed limits to curb accidents


NEW road restrictions on young drivers and a radical overhaul of speed limits were proposed by gardai last night.


Mid-ranking members of the force declared that the general speed limit of 60mph was clearly too fast for many regional roads, which were narrow and winding and often had poor, potholed surfaces.


Delegates to the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors in Dublin heard that the 60mph limit should continue to apply to national primary and secondary roads but be reduced to 50mph for regional roads and 40mph for all other roads.

The proposed changes were put forward by association president Joe Dirwan, who said faster drivers should pay bigger penalties and fines should range from £50 for those driving over 60mph to £100 for those doing 9Omph and more.


He pointed out that young male drivers who had driving licences for less than two years had been identified as causing almost 60pc of accidents.

Mr Dirwan proposed that drivers with provisional licences should be restricted to driving less powerful cars.


"The combination of fast cars and inexperienced, immature drivers is a lethal combination, and in the interests of a safer society we need to have controls in place," he said.

[Anders]

What point are you objecting to? It seems to me that the speed limit on many roads is too high, particularly on the crappy little roads. You couldn't possibly drive 60mph on many stretches of road safely. It is pretty much international standard to have a speed limit that tells you what the safe speed is, not to have a blanket 60mph speed limit.

As for power restrictions, I don't believe in it on principal and I don't think it will make any difference. The insurance companies already effectively prevent young drivers from driving fast cars, and that doesn't seem to help. Further restrictions won't do it either.

An enforced speed limit that reflects the conditions of the road is a better way. Roads in better condition wouldn't go amiss either.

[WhipLash]

This is all well and good trying to reduce the road fatalities, but whoose going to inforce it? Also, if such changes are introduced, I could just imagine the confusion motorists will have as road signs are changed here and there ending up with varies misunderstood speed-limits and therefore unfair fines/penalty points.

I'd also add that, on the main national arteries, a variable speed limit should exist depending on the environmental conditional. e.g. a lower speed limit when theres rain, ice, snow etc. Smart electronic speed signs should be erected to notify of present driving conditions and warning of dangers such as ice, stong cross-winds etc., and also the current speed limit due to those conditions.

[Junior]

My problem with it is Anders they enforce speed traps where roads are safe(r) and don't do anything about back roads. It's casual easy pickings policing. They mention the state of the roads but would they think of complaining to the NRA / County Councils no, it's a bloody Irish solution to an Irish problem.

They won't grasp the overall bull by the horns .... We need an infrastructural development plan, a proper Insurance Ombusdman that will speak up about the cartel being run, and we need Gardaí that actually understand the law not just apply it.

Stats are being flung around like theres no tomorrow. But it gets us no where , In less than four weeks times I'll be 52% less likely to either commit suicide or get killed in a car accident but what will have changed in my life realistically .. nothing ... but I'm moved from one bracket to another.

[Toad]

All this is doing is moving attention from the real problem
The roads in this country are ****. This is just another "Irish solution to an Irish problem"
But the gardai don't enforce speed limit's. I've made quite a few trips down to the south of Ireland recentily & I've never seen a speed trap, & very very rarily see a Patrol car.Sure everytime I go thru Gorey all the cars are outside the station, Fat lot of good they are doing there.

None of this will reduce insurance premium's, because the governmant don't control this. They should do due to the fact that insurance is a legal requirement, there should be some regulation of the insurance industry.

[Phil]

Did anyone see the article that Top Gear had on speed cameras in the UK.

By LAW they have to inform the British public, were all speed cameras are placed. This has helped reduce the amount of road accidents since they have been installed.

Any money made from speeding, is put back into road saftey instead of the police pockets.

Why can't they do the same over here????

[Junior]

Because Fillup if they did anything like this there would be war, it would mean money generated was actually being used in a constructive manner and not lobbed into purse and a few quid pulled out here and there.