New speed limit sign on local Mayo roads is 'confusing' motorists

The design of the new road signs on local roads to indicate a 60km per hour zone was described as 'nonsense' which is confusing motorists.

Since February 7, the speed limit on the majority of local roads around the country have been reduced from 80km per hour to 60km.

However instead of erecting standard 60km per hour speed signs, the Department of Transport have introduced the ‘Rural Speed Limit Sign’ as an 'alternative'. The new sign comprises five angled lines on a white circle with 'Go Mall – Slow' written underneath.

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The introduction of the new signs were raised at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council where councillors claimed they were causing more confusion.

“I have been approached by people confused by these new signs that are going up where there are five black lines on a white sign,” said Louisburgh-based councillor Chris Maxwell.

“Why in the hell did they not just put 60km on them signs. People do not understand what is going on. I understand there is an educational campaign in the media to explain them but wasn't it a missed opportunity just to leave it simple and put 60 on it and everyone understands.

“We are in a big tourism area and the tourists will be asking what these five lines are for. Isn't it just crazy whoever came up with that idea,” the Independent Ireland councillor said.

Erris-based councillor Gerry Coyle described the design as 'nonsense' saying it reminded it of a barcode which would be scanned by your phone.

A number of councillors added that there was confusion among the public that the speed limit had also been reduced on regional roads and this was leading to tailbacks.

Belmullet-based councillor Seán Carey expressed doubt that the reduction in the speed limit will be a success.

“I don't think it will work at all,” he said. “A lot of the traffic on the regional roads was down to 60km per hour and there were 15 to 20 cars in a line and it was taking so long. People were thinking the regional road was down to 60.

“I think there should be something done. We are all in favour of safety but think it will be counterproductive," he said.

Westport councillor Brendan Mulroy was of the same opinion saying the reduction of the speed limits was done ad-hoc and was not thought through.

“This has created a huge problem and to make matters worse gardaí announced that if signs are not changed you can still be fined for speeding. Until they come up with a better policy, revert back to what was previously and roll it out together. People are rightly confused,” he said.

Director of Services, Tom Gilligan, who is responsible for roads accepted that the design of the signs was not very informative.

“The instructions from the department are that people will have to use their judgement in relation to not going over the 60km. I agree it is not very informative but the reality is we were given the signs as part of a national roll out. Our role is to install the signs,” he told the meeting.