60Kph on the M50 - Anyone?

redman

Hadn't been on the M50 in a while and couldn't find anyone sticking to 60Kph, is ANYONE doing the legal limit on it?

Surprise the gardai aren't making hay and shooting fish in a barrel for some nice moolah?

Any reason why not?

L1011

Nobody does the limit. There's also not anywhere the Guards can either park a camera van or pull people over on the roadworks section realistically - hence nobody getting done for it.

The UK handles this by averaging speed cameras through roadworks. We don't use these here, thankfully.

Damien360

You are endangering yourself by attempting to do 60kph on the M50 at any time. Everyone does 100kph where possible and the road runs nicely when everyone complies. All it takes is one slow moving car (in the left most lane) and trucks have to squeeze out with the resulting chaos as every muppet tries to block them.

Mr. Presentable

Damien360 wrote: »

You are endangering yourself by attempting to do 60kph on the M50 at any time. Everyone does 100kph where possible and the road runs nicely when everyone complies. All it takes is one slow moving car (in the left most lane) and trucks have to squeeze out with the resulting chaos as every muppet tries to block them.

That'll be me, then.

redman

It sure is mad, so whats the right speed 80, 100, 120...?
commonsense varies from person to person...
100 seems to be the average..

yet surely the signs should dictate the right speed and everyone just loses their respect for signs...
south the opp way past leopardstown junction, with a 60 just before the cross over bridge which then suddenly jumps to 120..... just as the traffic merges onto M50 what happened to getting people phased up

and once again they had the gatso nabbin those passing UCD on Fri ....

redman

Damien360 wrote: »

You are endangering yourself by attempting to do 60kph on the M50 at any time. Everyone does 100kph where possible and the road runs nicely when everyone complies. All it takes is one slow moving car (in the left most lane) and trucks have to squeeze out with the resulting chaos as every muppet tries to block them.

whats worseimho is where the 100kpher's stay to outside all the way along where its the new clean section with no r'works and the inner two lanes are free or going the same speed,causing lots of undertaking and all the dangerss that come with that

triple-M

i always drive over 100 (traffic permitting obviously) but if i ever go under 100 i feel like an old woman holding up the queues,I did actually once see a garda car on the southbound section near sandyford one night though with their hairdryers out

fryup

triple-M wrote: »

I did actually once see a garda car on the southbound section near sandyford one night though with their hairdryers out

the gay gaurds

bookerboy

I kept it to 60 kph yesterday on the M50
Missed my exit and was reversing back to it!!!!!!!!!

GreeBo

bookerboy wrote: »

I kept it to 60 kph yesterday on the M50
Missed my exit and was reversing back to it!!!!!!!!!

You come onto a motors forum and openly admit that you reverse on motorways? Seems like bad decisions are the norm huh?

Wishbone Ash

nipplenuts wrote: »

That'll be me, then.

Me too - I stick on the cruise control.

Surely those who are endangering other road users are the drivers who don't obey the posted legal limit?

Berty

Damien360 wrote: »

and trucks have to squeeze out with the resulting chaos as every muppet tries to block them.

Trucks are not allowed in the overtaking lane on a Motorway so damn right they should stay where they are.

I drove the M50 quite a lot this week and didn't bother even checking my speed. I just cruised along at the same speed as all the other traffic.

Wishbone Ash

Berty wrote: »

Trucks are not allowed in the overtaking lane on a Motorway so damn right they should stay where they are

That's not correct Berty. The restriction only applies where the limit is 100 or 120kph. At a limit of 80 or 60kph, they may use any lane.

Dartz

I thought there was a legal obligation to keep up with the speed of traffic? Regardless of what the speed limit is, if everyone's doing 100, and you're moseying along at 60... you're still causing a hazard.

It's the law of the mob, or whatever the hell the Romans called it.

If one charioteer was driving slowly in the outside lane and holding up the Appian way, they were thrown to the colloseum.

axer

Dartz wrote: »

I thought there was a legal obligation to keep up with the speed of traffic? Regardless of what the speed limit is, if everyone's doing 100, and you're moseying along at 60... you're still causing a hazard.

There is no legal obligation to break the law EVER. Those speed limits are there for a reason i.e. roadworks. They suck but they ARE there for a reason. Surely the Gardai can park behind the bollards and operate a speed camera.

Del2005

MYOB wrote: »

Nobody does the limit. There's also not anywhere the Guards can either park a camera van or pull people over on the roadworks section realistically - hence nobody getting done for it.

The UK handles this by averaging speed cameras through roadworks. We don't use these here, thankfully.

There's a whole extra lane to the left where the road works are where they can park the Gatso vans. They have parked there a few times and made nice money as everyone speeds and it looks like a works van.

Fey!

nipplenuts wrote: »

That'll be me, then.

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Me too - I stick on the cruise control.

Surely those who are endangering other road users are the drivers who don't obey the posted legal limit?

Me three. Much to the annoyance of everyone around me!

mikkael

Sadly, I do the limit on it. I'm constantly tempted not to, especially when I see the gardai and a taxi driving neck and neck at 100 k.p.h. Add in Lorries, coaches and about 90% of other drivers. It's a joke.

quarryman

The 60kph is there to protect those working on the m50. If you aren't bothering to watch your speed and just match those cars around you then you doing almost twice the limit just feet from guys working on the road. Congrats.

BlackWizard

I have to throw this in here. It seems like lots of people are getting off on their holier than thou attitudes. So this is probably representative of 90% of us normal boards.ie drivers.

I do 120kph on the M50 consistently. But south of the toll bridge, I wouldn't do 120kph. I'd average about 100kph.

antomorro-sei

Just floor it and get home as soon as possible, thats the way I feel about it.

Sure you've **** all chance of being done for speeding.

mikkael

BlackWizard wrote: »

I have to throw this in here. It seems like lots of people are getting off on their holier than thou attitudes. So this is probably representative of 90% of us normal boards.ie drivers.

I do 120kph on the M50 consistently. But south of the toll bridge, I wouldn't do 120kph. I'd average about 100kph.

Regarding myself, I stick to the limits ... except 'perhaps' the 15 k.p.h. ones. I actually tried it at 4 a.m. one morning. Those limits are daft, and probably have more in common with cars from the 1940's than any relevance to today / modern cars.

On the flipside, it bloody well does my head in when someone insists on doing 110 k.p.h. on the overtaking lane of a Motorway, and refuses to budge. For some strange reason, every time I travel the M / N7 there are a multitude of clots who won't go above 100, then when it comes to the 100 limit they do 120 :rolleyes:

Wishbone Ash

Damien360 wrote:

Everyone does 100kph where possible and the road runs nicely when everyone complies

It's ironic that you use the word "complies" to describe the behaviour of drivers who are doing 66% over the legal limit.

Dartz wrote: »

I thought there was a legal obligation to keep up with the speed of traffic? Regardless of what the speed limit is, if everyone's doing 100, and you're moseying along at 60... you're still causing a hazard

There is nothing in the Statute Book requiring a motorist to drive above a particular speed. How on earth could it be enforced? Different categories of vehicles have different legal maximum speed limits regardless of the posted limit.

For example, a double deck bus or a bus with standing passengers is legally limited to 65kph. Therefore a double deck bus on the M1 going to Dundalk cannot legally exceed 65kph in a 120kph zone - i.e. 55kph below the posted maximum limit.

redman

has anyone on here be actually done for more than 60 on the M50 sections?

It seems given the average is 100, if the gardai did enforce there would be a serious penalty give the % above the legal limit i.e. officially you would imagine a ban for a period or endorsement...

so are the gardai just turning a blind eye to the "stupid" limits until a worker got killed? or until better system in place to protect workers....?

ZOLTAN28

Even if you try to stay near the 60 it is bloody difficult - I normally end up around 80 with everyone else (except a hardy few) flying past me.

When it is safe to do so I will stick to the 60 - to be honest I am not surprised by the attitude of the froum members to the speed limits - it is frightening how people drive in this country - so many have no regard for other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians - it is indicative of the prevailing mood of selfishness in the western world.

Tropheus

I drive the M50 every day and have seen many Garda cars that don't do 60khp. You'd be run of the M50 if you were driving at 60 mph.

I do 100kmh to 120kmh depending on road works.

congo_90

Op I don't remember you stating if it was in the 60km/h zones but for the sake of this I will assume you mean than and not the whole m50..

I wish to thank those who follow the speed limit to the button and have slated those who don't you're a true inspiration :rolleyes:

Anyhow. I try go 60 but that was when the gatso was aound the tallaght bypass. Other than that 80-130km/h as I saw fit. Granted the higher speed was on better sections where limits were 100. I mainly travelled during quiet times (night) so meh.

Again, I tried but it's too frustrating watching everyone pass you by.

redman

congo_90 wrote: »

Op I don't remember you stating if it was in the 60km/h zones but for the sake of this I will assume you mean than and not the whole m50..

Yes I do mean 60 in the 60 zones. I have been suprised at some passing me at 120 in the 60 zones only for them to slow to 100 in the full stretch and stick to the outside lane....:rolleyes:

Cheeble

I've been passed a few times by garda doing at least 90 in the 60 sections. If it doesn't apply to them, why should the rest of us bother?

Cheeble-eers

Wook

I dont really care what speed you guys do in your cars, as long as you get the hell out of my way on the fast lane when im behind you for 5 minutes or more clearly indicating that i want to go past you and refuse to overtake you on the left side.

Thank you and regards,

Del2005

Cheeble wrote: »

I've been passed a few times by garda doing at least 90 in the 60 sections. If it doesn't apply to them, why should the rest of us bother?

Cheeble-eers

The Gardai are exempt from the rules of the road and obeying traffic laws when on duty. But they should set a good example when driving around.

L1011

redman wrote: »

Yes I do mean 60 in the 60 zones. I have been suprised at some passing me at 120 in the 60 zones only for them to slow to 100 in the full stretch and stick to the outside lane....:rolleyes:

Driving to satnav maps - the finished bit is down as 100km/h on current Navteq maps but the roadworks section (bar the SEM) is down as 120km/h.

Voodoomelon

Is there an actual completion date for the M50 or is it always going to look like a go-kart track?

Del2005

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Is there an actual completion date for the M50 or is it always going to look like a go-kart track?

According to M50.ie it's December 2010.

GreeBo

Wook wrote: »

on the fast lane

Ohh man, I cant wait until we get those fast lanes in Ireland; they sound sweet!
I really dont know why they keep building the slow lanes over here...

Theta

redman wrote: »

has anyone on here be actually done for more than 60 on the M50 sections?

It seems given the average is 100, if the gardai did enforce there would be a serious penalty give the % above the legal limit i.e. officially you would imagine a ban for a period or endorsement...

so are the gardai just turning a blind eye to the "stupid" limits until a worker got killed? or until better system in place to protect workers....?

I didnt think they did that in Ireland. I thought it was just a fixed 2 points and a fine here. I know in the UK there are bands to speeding and if its more the 50% an instant ban. But not here and judging by the what were you caught doing thread I dont think it is.

I could be wrong.

redman

I gather there use to be an unofficial rule of auto endorsement or ban (depended on judge) if you were 30mph over the limit e.g. 90mph in a 60mph zone

faceman

Its very easy to say that you are grand doing 100 or 120 in the 60 zone. But in the event of an accident or hazard on the road, the potential harm it would cause with a high speed collision on the motorway could be fatal. We are a nation of tailgaters which doesnt help either. The lanes for much of the roadworks are narrower and many of the off/on slip lanes are poorly marked and sharp in places.

Im not trying to jump on a high horse here. But when driving at those speeds, you need be conscious of the harm you could cause should you be involved in a colission. Remember you may not be the one who causes it in the first place, but your speed may be a large contributing factor.

NuMarvel

I don't use the M50 much and if I do it's usually in evenings or weekends, but as much as possible, I try to stick to the speed limit. I think the most I've done is 70kph. Other drivers be damned, I'm trying to stick to the speed limit, use the overtaking lane if you're not happy with it. (Although, in fairness, I've only ever had one driver vent their frustration.)

That said, I think the speed limits could be increased a bit when works are finished for the day. 60kph when the workers are present and maybe 80kph when they're not?

Cheeble

Del2005 wrote: »

The Gardai are exempt from the rules of the road and obeying traffic laws when on duty.

Yes, but only "...where such use does not endanger the safety of road users."

Does doing 50% over the speed limit when not responding to an emergency qualify?

Cheeble-eers

sdanseo

What I just don't understand is that Blanch - M1 has look EXACTLY the same for about six months. From what I can tell, all that's needed is a layer of blacktop and replacement streetlights where all the old ones were knocked/removed/stopped working. There's no excuse for deliberately keeping it in disrepair any longer than nessecary and it's going to cause accidents.

The 60kmh limit is a joke and I really do think it's only there to encourage people to slow down. Never heard of anyone being done over it. I'll do 90-100 myself, or keep up with the flow. Same story with the M1 - the 65km and then 80km limits are impossible to keep to.

Mr. Presentable

sdonn wrote: »

The 60kmh limit is a joke .

Wholly agree

sdonn wrote: »

Never heard of anyone being done over it. I'll do 90-100 myself, or keep up with the flow. Same story with the M1 - the 65km and then 80km limits are impossible to keep to.

They're not - you just need to discipline your right foot.

Del2005

Cheeble wrote: »

Yes, but only "...where such use does not endanger the safety of road users."

Does doing 50% over the speed limit when not responding to an emergency qualify?

Cheeble-eers

This has been gone over loads of times on several threads both here and the Emergency Services forum. The Gardai are allowed to break the limit when on duty. They may be responding to an emergency call but not using their blues and twos or they may be in a hurry for tea, we'll never know so there is no point in going over it.

As I said I would hope that the Gardai when not responding to an emergency call would drive correctly but we never know if they are or aren't.

Sandwich

I always keep to the 60kph on my high horse.

Tefral

Gardai cannot enter the construction site area of the roadworks unless they have a safepass

Also legally the areas of construction are handed over to the contractor while he is working there, as in he is the legal guardian of that section of road until he hands it back as per the contracts. I dont know any contractor that would allow a gatso van to be parked up all day on their site and as i said a garda must have a safe pass to enter into a live construction area, they would need to wear a hard hat, visy vest and steel toe capped boots and depending on the contractor ie laing o rourke for example they would need gloves and googles at all times on site.

Dont expect to see any guards hiding behind cones anytime soon.

Buffman

cronin_j wrote: »

Gardai cannot enter the construction site area of the roadworks unless they have a safepass

I've seen a few signs at the start of the construction lanes saying 'NOT SUITABLE FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES'.
Last time I saw a Garda car trying it as a shortcut he ended up having to reverse a long way due to the road being dug up.

cyclopath2001

sdonn wrote: »

Same story with the M1 - the 65km and then 80km limits are impossible to keep to.

Not at all, if you're an advanced driver, it's just a matter of discipline. It comes with practice. You learn to do the right thing. Just let the law-breaking trash pass on the outside.

I use the M1 every week and can see there are reasons for the limit. Right now, South-bound near the N32/M50 interchange, there's temporary (quite hard to see) lane markings, then a fairly hard change in surface followed by half-scratched surface that pulls the steering over.