Monday 20th September 2004

Irish Government to hike speed limits

Metrication results in common-sense decision

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Irish metrication under EU regulations has resulted in a common-sense decision to increase the motorway speed limit to 120kph -- about 75mph, up from the old 70mph. The standard road limit increases 2mph to 100kph. Key factors in the decision were:

• Multiples of 10 are easier to remember and apply
• The change is relatively insignificant
• Modern road conditions and modern cars are safer and so the increase will not decrease safety.

In respect of safety, the Irish government committee which examined the issues said in its report:

"The significant investment in the improvement of the national roads network and the development of new motorway infrastructure since the last review of speed limits in the early nineteen nineties has given rise to a situation where there is, in general, a significant degree of difference between the design, construction and capacity of the national road network by comparison to non-national roads. The Working Group considers that these developments need to be factored into the consideration of the deployment of a new speed limit structure.

"Improvements in vehicle construction standards mean that vehicles are safer at higher speeds than heretofore. The penetration in the vehicle fleet of passenger cars with a capacity to safely travel at increased levels of speed suggest that it is timely to consider increasing the current motorway speed limit of 70mph."

In the current fact-bending climate that swirls around UK transport policy, it is, sadly, hard to imagine such a decision being taken in the UK.

The full report is here.

[speedy_thrills]

[quote]Multiples of 10 are easier to remember and apply. [/quote]
So why not go for the 1000 km/h mark? What’s wrong, you feel scared doing that speed in the Massy-Ferguson Paddy? Does any one know what the record is for the top speed attained by an agricultural type tractor? (No jokes about Lamborghini now)