Inconsistent speed limits

sdanseo

I know there are some stupid speed limits in this country but I felt I just had to note this one, mainly because I got pulled on it.

Around my area, there is a 3-lane (2+Bus) dual carriageway, the R132. On the section where it has a median, it has an 80km/h limit.

Example:

R132, Swords


Yet on the other side of the same city, in Templeogue on the N81, an almost identical section of road has a 60km/h limit:



Not only that, but the 60km/h signs on the N81E exiting on the slip from the M50S are TINY.

Anyone else think this is a bit scabby on drivers? I made the mistake of assuming the latter road had the same limit as the road near where I live. Rookie error granted, but I think it's misleading and should be a defence. Pity the Garda that stepped out in front of me wouldn't have thought the same (if I'd had the balls to ask him).

For the record, yes this post is spurred by me getting two penalty points. I accept that I exceeded the posted limit. Please don't lecture me.

MagicMarker

Welcome to Ireland.

trad

Different local authorities

OldmanMondeo

Don't know the Swords one, but the Tallaght bypass heading toward the Spawell is used by school children going to Templeogue and Orwell. You also have the park beside it and the spawell itself. Not forgetting the special care centre. There is good reason for the Tallaght Bypass to be 60. Also it has been this long before I started driving, around 1995. I am from that part of the world.

mdebets

But the two streets are different.

The R132 has high hedges at the side of the road, direct next to the hard shoulder. That means no people are walking along the road > higher speed limit.

The N81 has a foot path/ cycle path on the side of the road, so the people walking along the street > lower speed limits.

The quality of the street could be better on the one with the higher speed limit. The traffic pattern can be different. There might be people living along the N81 who have complained about noises from the street and the limit was lowered. There are many more possibilities.

Chippy01

Try the N11 through Kilmacanogue for size.
80kph heading north, while it's 60kph heading south.

kirving

There appears to be a path on the R132 thought. I don't know the area though, so it may not be used.

Although that part of the N81 is close to the Spawell, and a park, (to be fair the school isn't near it) the Gardai make good use of the low limit. I often see them on the side of the road, catching drivers just off the M50.

Bob Cratchet

The politicians were well connected into the sign companies, and probably still are.
Google Ray Burke.

jmayo

Chippy01 wrote: »

Try the N11 through Kilmacanogue for size.
80kph heading north, while it's 60kph heading south.

That's because on the southbound section they allowed premises to have exits/entrances right on the road.
There is no filter lane or off ramp to get to the units or filling station south bound.
Also they can hide by the lavendar fields to catch you. :rolleyes:

sdanseo

Kevin Irving wrote: »

There appears to be a path on the R132 thought. I don't know the area though, so it may not be used.

Although that part of the N81 is close to the Spawell, and a park, (to be fair the school isn't near it) the Gardai make good use of the low limit. I often see them on the side of the road, catching drivers just off the M50.

Exactly my point :rolleyes:

And yes there is a path next to the R132, and there's a shopping centre entrance there as well with lots of merging traffic. Still an 80km/h limit.

I showed my Mam the google streetview of the N81 and the first thing she said was "oh for a minute I thought that was the Swords bypass [R132]". They're that similar.

Think I'll be writing to SDCC/NRA and the Traffic Corps. I don't mind low limits, but I do mind inconsistent ones, especially where the only speed limit sign is placed on the left side of a slip road, right at the merge point. At this location, you're ALWAYS going to be looking right, because you're merging. The sign, if you look at street view, is one of the smallest used, too. I'm the most observant person I know, and I just didn't see it. AT the very least, a much larger sign is needed.

_Kaiser_

sdeire wrote: »

Think I'll be writing to SDCC/NRA and the Traffic Corps. I don't mind low limits, but I do mind inconsistent ones, especially where the only speed limit sign is placed on the left side of a slip road, right at the merge point. At this location, you're ALWAYS going to be looking right, because you're merging. The sign, if you look at street view, is one of the smallest used, too. I'm the most observant person I know, and I just didn't see it. AT the very least, a much larger sign is needed.

You know what'll happen then though? They'll reduce the R132 to 60 km/h as well! :rolleyes:

(actually probably not.. they're more likely to fob you off saying that the R132 is managed by Fingal Co Co and to direct your complaint there)

GTE

This thread reminds me of the A1 up north. 70mph with people walking dogs, short filter roads and a B&B drive way.

SilverBell

bbk wrote: »

This thread reminds me of the A1 up north. 70mph with people walking dogs, short filter roads and a B&B drive way.

(Sorry to be slightly off topic) I agree with you bbk. I was on this last week and kept with the traffic at 70mph on past Newry thinking I was still on a motorway. I was keeping an eye out for speed limit signs but never saw any. Then I got back on the "older" A1 and started noticing the same private driveways, gates into fields, junctions and crossings, this aint no motorway! Pulled back to 60!

GTE

SilverBell wrote: »

(Sorry to be slightly off topic) I agree with you bbk. I was on this last week and kept with the traffic at 70mph on past Newry thinking I was still on a motorway. I was keeping an eye out for speed limit signs but never saw any. Then I got back on the "older" A1 and started noticing the same private driveways, gates into fields, junctions and crossings, this aint no motorway! Pulled back to 60!

All that road is 70 unless you are in two well marked 60 zones before the M1. Crazy stuff in sections.

SilverBell

bbk wrote: »

All that road is 70 unless you are in two well marked 60 zones before the M1. Crazy stuff in sections.

Thanks, I never knew it had a limit of 70. I remember them 60signs alright, theres a lot going on around those bits, junctions, crossings etc.

GTE

SilverBell wrote: »

Thanks, I never knew it had a limit of 70. I remember them 60signs alright, theres a lot going on around those bits, junctions, crossings etc.

I was a bit shocked to find that out too but the 60 zones really deserve that limit.
Anyway, we dont have awesome roads like that down here. All too slow

sdanseo

Re my OP, I've sent observations to both SDCC and the NRA regarding the tiny and ill-placed signage. Should be interesting to hear what they (eventually) say.

toreadorx2001

any opinions on the 100kph speed limit on the N81 beyond Jobstown???....yes , including the bends on the road . !!!! so much for being a National road

sdanseo

Sorry to create a necro-thread, had to refer to this in relation to a reply on a more recent post. However thought people might find it curious that in the end the council replied, saying that the location had been inspected and there were two very large 60km/h signs at the motorway exit.

I'm as sure as I can be, having driven past a second time to check, that these signs weren't there to begin with.

Points come off in September