"Temporary" speed limits

orbital83

A bit of a rant more than anything...
If anyone in the NRA is reading, could you perhaps considering implementing traffic calming measures when you decide to slap a 50km/h speed limit right in the middle of a good quality national road fit for 100?
I'm thinking specifically of the N4 between Newtownforbes and Rooskey, but also several others I've encountered on national routes around the country.

For the past few months, a 50 limit has been in place for several miles, due to roadworks for a bypass that's being built.
Anyone familiar with the road will know it's a good wide and mainly straight section, with hard shoulders on both sides, fit for the standard 100 km/h limit.

The roadworks consist of little more than a few traffic cones on one side of the road, at least on the occassions I've passed. There are certainly no hazards warranting a speed of 50km/h on a national route.
Nothing has been done in the way of calming measures to force traffic to reduce speed or desist from overtaking.
Nonetheless, I've duly been slamming on the brakes to get down to 50 each time I've passed.

This invariably evokes the road rage of following traffic, and you are forced to drive almost in the grass verge so that you can be overtaken. This also leads to some quite dangerous overtaking scenarios, especially if someone on the other side of the road has also decided to observe the limit.

Overall, driving legally on this section is an unpleasant and rather dangerous experience. I wonder who actually sets these temporary limits, and whether they're legally enforceable?

Guy:Incognito

John J wrote:

Nonetheless, I've duly been slamming on the brakes to get down to 50 each time I've passed.

Why? Seeing as you know its there, why not gradually slow down?

littlejukka

i was about to say the same thing as ste. you shouldn't need to slam on the brakes, just leave the engine slow you down as you approach or you could become a hazard.

i've seen very few cars come down to the 60kph shown on parts of the M50 where they're doing widening works. the limit is set for the safety of workers and other drivers, because the width of the road, the surface and the exits/entrances aren't of a standard suitable for a higher limit. doesn't make a bit of difference to most people, sticking to 100+

Stark

John_R wrote:

Overall, driving legally on this section is an unpleasant and rather dangerous experience. I wonder who actually sets these temporary limits, and whether they're legally enforceable?

Many of them aren't legally enforceable. The local council has to pass a bylaw to make them legally enforceable.

Turner

John J wrote:

There are certainly no hazards warranting a speed of 50km/h on a national route.

I think you and other motorists are the hazards for any workers on that section of roadway.

Slamming on the brakes would be considered dangerous driving.

Seth Brundle

I drove past roadworks along the N2 (IIRC near Castleblaney) and although the speed limit decreased from 100 to 50 or 60, the construction was on the land adjacent to the (wide hard-shouldered) road!

Stark wrote:

Many of them aren't legally enforceable. The local council has to pass a bylaw to make them legally enforceable.

What makes you think that they haven't passed such a law?

Stark

kbannon wrote:

What makes you think that they haven't passed such a law?

I didn't say they hadn't passed it.

yayamark

Stark wrote:

I didn't say they hadn't passed it.

and kbannon says next "i didn't say u said it" :rolleyes:

Seth Brundle

Stark wrote:

I didn't say they hadn't passed it.

You did when you stated that "Many of them aren't legally enforceable".

skibum

Stark wrote:

Many of them aren't legally enforceable. The local council has to pass a bylaw to make them legally enforceable.

about 2 years ago, my brother got his speeding offence ( i know he was a very bold boy and has since learnt his lesson :rolleyes: ) thrown out of court when his solicitor proved in court that wicklow county council didn't follow all the procedures to implement the lower spped limit through Kilmacanogue.

Seth Brundle

but since then AFAIK local authorities are doing te correct paperwork when it comes to roadworks and speed limits

Aidan Mc

Since last November (I think) there's been a 50kmph 'special speed limit' for about 2 miles west of Craughwell village on the main N6 into Galway. It's very annoying, because as one of the few who obey it I end u[ with stupid people trying to pass me at every possible chance along the way. The road works had finished on the road by the time they put the signs up, so for the last 8 months they've not being doing road works and not needed the special speed limit. I generally have no problem with speed limits, so long as they're logical. I don't mind 60/50kmph limits on the outskirts/middle of towns/villages/etc., but when it's placed on a perfectly good section of main road for no apparent reason it does bother me a little bit!

layke

Those limits are there because there maybe workers, diggers or even debris on the road.

Victor

Stark wrote:

Many of them aren't legally enforceable. The local council has to pass a bylaw to make them legally enforceable.

Road works special speed limits don't need bye-laws, they only need a managerial order.

Marcus.Aurelius

layke wrote:

Those limits are there because there maybe workers, diggers or even debris on the road.

Just the local boys covering their asses for making a sh*thole of the road during works.