M50 variable speed signs, useless??..

brianc89 · 19-06-2023 9:36am #1

I was on the M50 this morning between Tallaght and Finglas exits between 830 and 9am. Traffic was quite light except a few spots mainly after major junctions (M7, M4, M3).

The speed signs were off until before M7, where they said 100kmh. I could see on Maps the traffic was orange up ahead. The next sign also said 100 (despite traffic clearly about to get busy). The 3rd sign said 80kmh, however at this stage, I was already crawling at 25kmh.

The same thing happened at the next few junctions. Traffic never came to a halt, but I passed under all the speed signs (near major junctions) at 40kmh or less.

What's the story?

cherryghost · 19-06-2023 9:37am

It's reactive to the traffic +5mins in my experience. Completely and utterly useless.

magicbastarder · 19-06-2023 9:39am

as above, any time i've seen the signs on they are reflecting traffic speeds rather than dictating it.

markpb · 22-06-2023 10:23am

The only time I’ve seen them in use proactively, everyone ignored them anyway and raced headlong into the back of a very visible traffic jam at 100kph. People, on average, are stupid and think themselves amazing drivers.

Tenzor07 · 22-06-2023 10:42am

Without Automatic speed cameras of course they are useless...

Del2005 · 22-06-2023 8:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120748110#Comment_120748110

Unless they change the law they aren't speed limits so cameras will also be useless. Speed limits signs are

A speed limit sign, as set out in the Schedule, shall consist of a white disc with a red border containing -

(a) in black figures, the appropriate speed limit applying, and

(b) beneath those figures, in black letters “km/h”.

S.I. No. 10/2005 - Road Traffic (Speed Limit - Traffic Signs) Regulations 2005 (irishstatutebook.ie)

Podge_irl · 22-06-2023 9:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120750971#Comment_120750971

They should probably change the law so...

Very few people will accept that a lower average speed limit leads to quicker journeys, no matter if analysis proves as much. They dismiss it as "obviously wrong". So the only way to get it to work is enforcement.

mikeybhoy · 23-06-2023 11:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120748110#Comment_120748110

They are useless full stop. Who are these camera's aimed at people who cannot drive properly I'm guessing. You don't need a variable speed limit it's pretty obvious drive in a manner that does not risk rear ending the car in front common sense.

markpb · 23-06-2023 4:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120753179#Comment_120753179

The idea with these is that you slow down traffic before it gets congested. If you manage it, the traffic never gets congested. It’s nothing to do with people who cannot drive properly or people seeing the car in front, it’s supposed to happen long before the traffic jam is visible.

M50 variable speed signs, useless??..

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