Reducing speed limit on local Mayo roads is 'pure and utter nonsense'

The speed limit reviews which propose to reduce the default speed limits on local roads to 60km per hour is 'pure and utter nonsense' according to an Erris-based councillor.

The regulations to reduce the speed limit on local roads is due to come into operation on February 7, 2025 and will see the default speed limit for the network of local and rural roads throughout the country reduced from 80km per hour to 60km per hour.

The decision to reduce the speed limits in rural parts of Mayo has been criticised by a number of councillors in the county who do not believe it will result in a reduction in deaths on the road.

Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle told the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District that whoever came up with the proposal to reduce the speed limits on local roads did not come from a rural area.

“The speed limit review is pure and utter nonsense and a sure indication of the lack of investment that roads are being brought down to 60 km per hour.

“I cannot emphasise enough that 80km is the limit and not the target. You can go 50km but if you have a clear road and are rushing to get someone to a hospital you can do 80. It beggars belief what is going on with some of these people making up these rules.

“I can guarantee you that whoever advised the minister on that did not live in Ballyglass or Doohoma or rural Ireland. They did not live out where people needed their car to go to work. There isn't a councillor or person I know who does not want to save lives on the roads,” he said.

The Geesala-based councillor added that there should be a greater emphasis on getting speed ramps into towns and villages and believe they will be better in reducing speed and deaths.

“What in the name of God is wrong if we cannot put down a few speed bumps. They are a great job and have slowed the traffic down in Geesala and Bangor is looking for them and any place where there is a school should have speed bumps.

“Not these flashing lights...You won't need those flashing lights if you tear your exhaust on one of these bumps and be charged €400 or €500 to put a new exhaust on your car. That is the only cure for speeding through towns and villages,” he said.