Speed Limit Signs in ROI

Seasoft

For once I will be praising some aspects of Irish road policy.

Thank God we no longer use the End of Speed Limit zone sign:
A recent drive through the 6 counties made me realise how irrelevant the sign is. It does not tell a (visiting) motorist anything other than a lower limit has ended.

Far better is our system of telling the speed limit as it is, i.e 100, 120 etc and then down to 80, 60, etc.

The second good aspect is having the signs repeated every few kilometres at least on motorways and N routes. Anyone, local or tourist, will know and be reminded of the operational limit. In so many countries, including the UK, you drive from and "End of Limit" sign to the next urban limit without being told what the speed limit is.

So, grudgingly perhaps, well done the RSA, or NRA, or Dept of Transport or whoever is responsible for our signage policy.

_Kaiser_

I'd agree with you to be fair but I still find a lot of cases where I'll join a road I may not be familiar with and have no indication of what the speed limit may be (I'm not talking obvious ones like motorways or dual carriageways).

Usually you get a few hundred metres (or further) down the road before a tiny sign tells you that in fact you're well under the limit (50-60s are a common one)

djimi

In fairness its the first thing you do when you drive in a different country is learn what the national speed limit is if they have one. In Ireland that sign meant 55mph/60mph or whatever the national limit was at the time.

I agree that the periodic speed limit signs are good, where they are acually used. I drove down a road recently and realised I didnt know what the speed limit on the road was. I dont think I saw a sign for a good 10 miles.

Mycroft H

I used to like those old signs, simple and to the point!

It's fairly easy too, whats the speed limit in general on a N road? 100. Regional road? 80. Motorway? 120.

MugMugs

Thought that sign meant 60mph?

GoodisonPark

That sign means national speed limit applies.

Mint Sauce

MugMugs wrote: »

Thought that sign meant 60mph?

It pretty much does.

MugMugs

GoodisonPark wrote: »

That sign means national speed limit applies.

Which was 60MPH here and still is in the North.

GL scrappy

I always thought it was 70MPH in the north, if its 60, i've been very lucky.

What would help here is if the speed limit was stated on all of the signs warning of speed camera zones.
I have seen lots of people slow down to 50kmph in an 80 zone because of the presence of a speed van.

Mycroft H

National speed limit in the UK is 60mph

Fred Swanson

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bmstuff

Speed signs are not too bad, seriously insane speed, aka 100kmh, on some country side roads though.

The thing that bothers me the most here when it comes to signs, is on exits...they have those signs within yards of the exit, like "oh by the way thats finglas here...here!! Whatever you are too late".
I missed so many exits here over the years, they were never advertised in advance, at least 1-2 miles before the actual exit. I think it has improved a bit since.

Leonard Hofstadter

NSL is 60 mph on single carriageways, and 70 mph on dual carriageways in the UK (i.e. in Northern Ireland).

ba_barabus

GL scrappy wrote: »

I always thought it was 70MPH in the north, if its 60, i've been very lucky.

You're not the only one.

wil

Never found any problem knowing the speed limit in the uk. Pretty consistent.
Speed limits here don't always make sense that's why you need reminding of whatever the arbitrary limit for today is.

Example is the 3 lane carriageway n7 which I think is now 100kph, which is slower than 2 lane motorway, and has at various times been 80 or even 60.
It's very easy catch people speeding when the limits make little sense.
Afaik these limits were determined by councils as they suited land zoning if they were lower and nothing to do with safety.

Leonard Hofstadter

GL scrappy wrote: »

I always thought it was 70MPH in the north, if its 60, i've been very lucky.

That's because it IS 70 mph in the UK on ALL dual carriageways and motorways. Unlike in Ireland, where there is only a higher speed limit on motorways (and certain dual carriageways with a special speed limit), in the UK the higher limit covers both motorway and dual carriageway. Only on single carriageway roads is the NSL 60 mph. The North is no different to the rest of the UK on this issue.

Supergurrier

I find Irish speed limit signs are either badly placed or hidden on purpose to catch you out

CiniO

Irish system with speed limits signs would make sense, if those signs were really everywhere.

At the moment there is plenty of those signs missing which makes confusion.
Also to be honest there's very little places in Ireland that have other speed limit than usual for that kind of road.
What I mean here - speed limits are as follows
80km/h - local (L) and regional (R) roads.
100km/h - national roads (N).
120km/h - motorways (M).

Inside built-up areas there's 50 or 60 or sometimes 30 - so this varies.

So in general we have millions of speed limits signs all across the country, just to tell people to do 80 on L and R roads, 100 on N roads, and 120 on M roads.
Is that really needed? Especially that it's still not perfect as many signs are just missing?

F.e. you are joining N road from R road. Speed limit changes from 80km/h to 100km/h, but you are not informed about it by speed limit sign.

If only roads were signed somehow to let people know if that's a R or L road, N road or M road, then all those speed limit signs wouldn't be really necessary.

corktina

djimi wrote: »

In fairness its the first thing you do when you drive in a different country is learn what the national speed limit is if they have one. In Ireland that sign meant 55mph/60mph or whatever the national limit was at the time.

I agree that the periodic speed limit signs are good, where they are acually used. I drove down a road recently and realised I didnt know what the speed limit on the road was. I dont think I saw a sign for a good 10 miles.

there 's a reason for that. The speed limit is not shown every few km in fact, it is actually shown at the point at which the limit changes, which in the case of an N or M road is the a few metres after you pull on to it from a side road...thus by default the speed limit is 80 km'h unless otherwise shown and may not be shown "for a good 10 miles" if you are driving on R roads if you don't come to a village with a lower limit in that distance. Conversely, were you driving on an N road it would be shown just after every side turning that isn't an N road too.

Aced_Up

It's only relevant on the Isle of Man... Teehee

Zcott

Coming from the north I just treat all those speed limits as mph.

keithclancy

Seasoft wrote: »

For once I will be praising some aspects of Irish road policy.

Thank God we no longer use the End of Speed Limit zone sign:
A recent drive through the 6 counties made me realise how irrelevant the sign is. It does not tell a (visiting) motorist anything other than a lower limit has ended.

Far better is our system of telling the speed limit as it is, i.e 100, 120 etc and then down to 80, 60, etc.

The second good aspect is having the signs repeated every few kilometres at least on motorways and N routes. Anyone, local or tourist, will know and be reminded of the operational limit. In so many countries, including the UK, you drive from and "End of Limit" sign to the next urban limit without being told what the speed limit is.

So, grudgingly perhaps, well done the RSA, or NRA, or Dept of Transport or whoever is responsible for our signage policy.

Really ? I thought they tell you that the speed limit on that class of Road is in effect.

e.g Before the National speed limit changed to 130 in NL:

Del2005

Seasoft wrote: »

For once I will be praising some aspects of Irish road policy.

Thank God we no longer use the End of Speed Limit zone sign:
A recent drive through the 6 counties made me realise how irrelevant the sign is. It does not tell a (visiting) motorist anything other than a lower limit has ended.

Far better is our system of telling the speed limit as it is, i.e 100, 120 etc and then down to 80, 60, etc.

The second good aspect is having the signs repeated every few kilometres at least on motorways and N routes. Anyone, local or tourist, will know and be reminded of the operational limit. In so many countries, including the UK, you drive from and "End of Limit" sign to the next urban limit without being told what the speed limit is.

So, grudgingly perhaps, well done the RSA, or NRA, or Dept of Transport or whoever is responsible for our signage policy.

I like the continental system. When you cross the boarder there's a big sign with the speed limits. Then you need to remember the lower limit starts at the town name sign and ends at the other sign. None of this spoon feeding motorists.

galwaytt

corktina wrote: »

there 's a reason for that. The speed limit is not shown every few km in fact, it is actually shown at the point at which the limit changes, which in the case of an N or M road is the a few metres after you pull on to it from a side road...thus by default the speed limit is 80 km'h unless otherwise shown and may not be shown "for a good 10 miles" if you are driving on R roads if you don't come to a village with a lower limit in that distance. Conversely, were you driving on an N road it would be shown just after every side turning that isn't an N road too.

No, there is no default speed limit anymore - that's what they did away with. The 'end of limit' sign was the sign (sic) that you were leaving a specific speed limit area and now that area ended, and thus the national default.

We now have a specific speed limit on every single road, byroad and bóithrín in the country (and we all know what a success that exercise.........in selling alu signs and galv poles was, at any rate.........), so there is no default. You cannot 'assume' a default anymore.

Sam Russell

One fault with the new system (new after all this time?) is the repeat signs are the same as the original change sign. In France, they put 'Rappel' (repeat) if it is a repeat sign. They also put a feint black and white version with a crossed out lines across it - much clearer, I think.

In the UK, the rules were laid down in the 1930s (I think) when they intoduced the 30mph limit. If there are lamposts nearer than every 200 yards, then the default speed limit is 30mph, otherwise it is as posted. If it is not posted or there are no lamposts, the limit is the national limit (which was unlimited at the introduction, now it is 60mph on single lane roads and 70mph on dual carriageways).

I like a lot of the French road signs and approach, particularly the use of pedestrian priority at traffic lights, and variable speed limits on autoroutes for rain. I hate their parking.

Fred Swanson

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DxDuff

I think the speed limit signs especially on most backs roads and in particular our mountain passes actually means "I dare you to go at this ridiculous speed".
And my other pet hate about Irish road signs is the planting of trees in front of them so within 2 years you won't ever see them.

IMO, the Irish speedlimits are all set ars3ways as the logic follows the old "national speed limit applies". This is different from any other European country I have driven.

For example joining a N road from R road: Speed limit sign for 100 km/h is just before you join the N road, i.e. speed limit increases from 80 -> 100 just before you're supposed to yield to the traffic on the N. You're then supposed to remember what the speed limit after you have concentrated on finding a gap and joined the N.

In other countries the speed limit goes from say 80 km/h to 50 km/h just before the junction. Some short distance after you have joined the main road there is a speed limit sign telling you the speed you're supposed to accelerate to while the same sign works as a reminder for traffic already on the road what the limit is.

The current speed limit system is pretty bad.

ardmacha

I think the speed limit signs especially on most backs roads and in particular our mountain passes actually means "I dare you to go at this ridiculous speed".

Do you ever analyse your thinking?

pa990

In Germany that sign means
NO LIMIT

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Andrew_Doran

Sam Russell wrote: »

If there are lamposts nearer than every 200 yards, then the default speed limit is 30mph, otherwise it is as posted. If it is not posted or there are no lamposts, the limit is the national limit (which was unlimited at the introduction, now it is 60mph on single lane roads and 70mph on dual carriageways).

This.

I quite like the NSL idea, it forces the driver to think about what what's going around them.

It's fun to watch southerners when driving in the north because many don't seem to have a clue about the NSL sign.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Sam Russell

Andrew_Doran wrote: »

It's fun to watch southerners when driving in the north because many don't seem to have a clue about the NSL sign.

I have asked many motorists in the UK what that sign means. Most do not know - thinking that it means 70mph (which it does - sometimes).

I think it is confusing and should be replaced with the actual speed limit that applies.

It is like our no-entry sign. Logical but not standard throughout Europe. I see they are changing it.

Richard

Sam Russell wrote: »

I have asked many motorists in the UK what that sign means. Most do not know - thinking that it means 70mph (which it does - sometimes).

I think it is confusing and should be replaced with the actual speed limit that applies.

Particularly when at the border on the A1/N1 it says "speed limits in miles per hour" but the sign doesn't say what the speed limit is.

Also, this is a particularly unusual situation, as the NSL sign signifies a reduction in speed, from 120 km/h (75mph) to 70mph (112 km/h).

Del2005

samih wrote: »

For example joining a N road from R road: Speed limit sign for 100 km/h is just before you join the N road, i.e. speed limit increases from 80 -> 100 just before you're supposed to yield to the traffic on the N. You're then supposed to remember what the speed limit after you have concentrated on finding a gap and joined the N.

There's nearly always a small repeater sign a couple of hundred meters after a junction on N and R roads to remind you of the limit.

Not that it matters much in Ireland as you'll inevitably end up behind an 80km/h person regardless of the limit being higher or lower.

Mycroft H

It's not all rosy in the UK, meet the village with 8 different speed limits....

CiniO

Fred Swanson wrote: »

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Exactly.
Which in fact also cancels most other prohibitory signs (like no overtaking, etc).

Not neccesserily meaning - "no limits".
If you see this sign on single national road, it means that limit is back to normal, which for single national road is AFAIR 100km/h.

Victor

djimi wrote: »

I agree that the periodic speed limit signs are good, where they are acually used. I drove down a road recently and realised I didnt know what the speed limit on the road was. I dont think I saw a sign for a good 10 miles.

Do you mean repeater signs?

Periodic speed limts are those that apply for a certain period of the day.

Repeater signs are the smaller signs that repeat the speed limit.

bmstuff wrote: »

Speed signs are not too bad, seriously insane speed, aka 100kmh, on some country side roads though.

I think this would be rather exceptional - the only roads that I know of that are 100km/h are national and regional roads. That said, quite a few national roads don't deserve them.

The thing that bothers me the most here when it comes to signs, is on exits...they have those signs within yards of the exit, like "oh by the way thats finglas here...here!! Whatever you are too late".
I missed so many exits here over the years, they were never advertised in advance, at least 1-2 miles before the actual exit. I think it has improved a bit since.

Motorway exits tend to be signed 1-2km in advance, repeated at 1km and 500m and then counted down 300/200/100m and then a route confirmation sign after the exit and another when joining the other road. Perhaps stay out of the right hand lane and you might see them.

wil wrote: »

Example is the 3 lane carriageway n7 which I think is now 100kph, which is slower than 2 lane motorway,

So? The dual carriageway has private entrances, petrol stations, cyclists, frequent junctions, etc. the motorway does not.

and has at various times been 80 or even 60.

During roadworks.

captainspeed wrote: »

That's because it IS 70 mph in the UK on ALL dual carriageways and motorways.

No. Some of these roads have other speed limits signed on them.

Supergurrier wrote: »

I find Irish speed limit signs are either badly placed or hidden on purpose to catch you out

If you are aware of such situations, report them to the council.

CiniO wrote: »

Is that really needed? Especially that it's still not perfect as many signs are just missing?

If you are aware of such situations, report them to the council.

If only roads were signed somehow to let people know if that's a R or L road, N road or M road, then all those speed limit signs wouldn't be really necessary.

This wouldn't make sense, especially at junctions. If a national route is 100km/h and you come to a roundabout, would you try to go around it at 100km/h?

wil

Victor wrote: »

....

So? The dual carriageway has private entrances, petrol stations, cyclists, frequent junctions, etc. the motorway does not.

During roadworks.

....

No, the stretch in particular I am referring to, does not, probably even better class of road than the feeding motorway
and to add to the farce our motorways now have laybys on them so go figure. (a real Irish solution to a p'ing problem)

The 80kph were a PITA as they werent for roadworks, just zoning.
60kph were for invisible roadworks, where they simply put cones on the hard shoulder for months, please dont suggest there is a logic to it.

UK has no problem with 70mph dual carriageways.
Difference is they are used to them and know how to use them

wil

bmstuff wrote: »

The thing that bothers me the most here when it comes to signs, is on exits...they have those signs within yards of the exit, like "oh by the way thats finglas here...here!! Whatever you are too late".
I missed so many exits here over the years, they were never advertised in advance, at least 1-2 miles before the actual exit. I think it has improved a bit since.

I agree with you here. Victor seems to have interpreted your issue as motorway signs, which arent too bad, but I think you refer to regular national route signs which while improving, are often inconsistent or poor. Indications can come too late as you said, or not at all over several junctions or roundabouts then reappear several junctions later when you are panicking if you are still on correct route.
eg (I dont know if this is still the case as haven't been in a while) going from Waterford to Clonmel, there are loads of signs showing Limerick (which is nowhere near Clonmel) but none show Clonmel, until halfway there.
Just one example but wonder if the signage guy that day was from Limerick

_Kaiser_

No that's very true.. signage on non-motorway routes is generally awful.

I was on a N-route lately looking for a turn off and were it not for the Navigation app on the phone I'd have missed it completely as the only sign is AT the turn - great fun I'd say if you were trying to decelerate from 80-100 km/h to make a 90 degree left

Victor

wil wrote: »

I agree with you here. Victor seems to have interpreted your issue as motorway signs

He did mention 'exits'.

(I dont know if this is still the case as haven't been in a while) going from Waterford to Clonmel, there are loads of signs showing Limerick (which is nowhere near Clonmel) but none show Clonmel, until halfway there. Just one example but wonder if the signage guy that day was from Limerick

All national roads are signed with their ultimate destination. The N24 goes from Waterford to Limerick. The general principle is to sign the ultimate destination and the next major town. Carrick-on-Suir comes before Clonmel. Would you expect them to sign the road as follow

Mooncoin
Fiddown
Piltown
Carrick-On-Suir
Kilsheelan
Clonmel
Caher
Bansha
Tipperary
Limerick Junction
Oola
Pallas Green
Whitehall
Limerick

Perhaps you might invest in a map or GPS navigation system.

CiniO

Victor wrote: »

If you are aware of such situations, report them to the council.

I could find you 50 such places within 1 hour drive.
I'm not going to report all those to the council.

This wouldn't make sense, especially at junctions. If a national route is 100km/h and you come to a roundabout, would you try to go around it at 100km/h?

That's what we have at the moment anyway. National roads are limited to 100km/h and only difference is that it's all signposted by speed limits signs instead of type of road signs.

wil

Victor wrote: »

He did mention 'exits'.

All national roads are signed with their ultimate destination. The N24 goes from Waterford to Limerick. The general principle is to sign the ultimate destination and the next major town. Carrick-on-Suir comes before Clonmel. Would you expect them to sign the road as follow



Perhaps you might invest in a map or GPS navigation system.

My final input as not to continue tit for tat:)
Exits apply to N routes, single or dual carriageway, even roundabouts, perhaps he meant motorways, but even on motorway some could do with improvement.

The next major town from Waterford towards Limerick is Clonmel or at least Carrick, apologies to Mooncoin which is only major in tidiness. Blink and you'll miss a small pretty street.

Following some of our N routes which are often cobbled together (no pun intended) can require more than map and GPS. Many still combine b-roads, unfathomable junctions and meandering idiosyncrasies. They are improving, but there's plenty of room for improvement in many areas. General rules should also incorporate practical common sense. Drove the length and breadth of UK without gps on all types of roads and could rarely fault signage on being consistent, intuitive, pertinent, timely and unambiguous. Ours are famous for....

Another example tonight, n7 approaching m50 / city centre feeders. Right lane of 2 lanes marked for m50s veers towards city centre route then last second veers suddenly to left to the m50. That has got to be the scene of many accidents, what eejit thought dat'll do when painting those markings?:eek:
Please don't let same "engineers" loose on the new mad cow junction.

keithclancy

CiniO wrote: »

Exactly.
Which in fact also cancels most other prohibitory signs (like no overtaking, etc).

Not neccesserily meaning - "no limits".
If you see this sign on single national road, it means that limit is back to normal, which for single national road is AFAIR 100km/h.

Indeed, in Germany anyway:
End of speed and passing restriction is:


End of overtaking restriction for cars


End of overtaking restriction for trucks:


End of speed restriction:


So it can get pretty confusing when your driving and you see one of these signs but your trying to remember what the damn sign said around 5 kilometers back

The Autobahn has a recommended speed limit of 130km/h, while there is no restriction, if you run into someone while going over it you are pretty much always in the wrong.

ardmacha

Of course and end of restrictions sign in Germany, doesn't necessarily mean that you can speed off!

Sam Russell

ardmacha wrote: »

Of course and end of restrictions sign in Germany, doesn't necessarily mean that you can speed off!

Are they driving on the left?

_Kaiser_

Sam Russell wrote: »

Are they driving on the left?

I'd say just driving around the tanks! If you look at the right of the pic the jeeps are all parked american-style, plus the "Leaving American sector" is on the wrong side if they were driving on the left.

EDIT: Funny/interesting how German is the last language on that sign and in much smaller lettering. Another "we won" message?

Sam Russell

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I'd say just driving around the tanks! If you look at the right of the pic the jeeps are all parked american-style, plus the "Leaving American sector" is on the wrong side if they were driving on the left.

EDIT: Funny/interesting how German is the last language on that sign and in much smaller lettering. Another "we won" message?

All the vehicles going away are on the left and those coming towards the viewer are on the right (as if they were driving on the left). Signs could be on both sides of the checkpoint. Good picture though!:)

keithclancy

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

I'd say just driving around the tanks! If you look at the right of the pic the jeeps are all parked american-style, plus the "Leaving American sector" is on the wrong side if they were driving on the left.

EDIT: Funny/interesting how German is the last language on that sign and in much smaller lettering. Another "we won" message?

Ran out of space