30km/h Speed Limit at Slane

jock101 · 13-10-2010 09:02PM #1

I was driving from Londonderry today and passed through Slane which has a 30km/h speed limit, which I believe came into force about a year ago. But I found it very dangerous not because of the 30km/h limit but because where the limit covers. It starts just before you enter the villege and continues for about 3-4km out the Dublin side of the N2. I found it very difficult to keep to 30km especially with the severe gradients, not to mention the crowns tailgating me, and with the Speed camera signs on the bridge and beside the castle entrance. I wasnt taking the chance. Is this limit really a safety issue or is it just there to aggravate the motorists and truckers to use the M1?

mullingar · 13-10-2010 09:46PM

jock101 wrote: »

I was driving from Londonderry today .................

Surely you mean "Derry";););)

But any 30kmph IMO is madness. The only place it should be is 200-300m each direction of a school, then back to 50k/80k or whatever it was before the school

alias no.9 · 13-10-2010 10:28PM

The number of serious accidents and fatalities on the stretch close to the bridge at Slane warrant this speed limit.

jock101 · 13-10-2010 10:35PM

alias no.9 wrote: »

The number of serious accidents and fatalities on the stretch close to the bridge at Slane warrant this speed limit.

Really??? The 50km/h speed limit wasnt that much faster, but at least you could drive safely and constantly! This 30km/h speed limit is creating more problems then solutions, with tailgating and road rage and most motorists ignore it anyway! It must be a pain in the backside for truckers! Especially having it for 3-4km. This is purely a cheap easy solution to replace the badly needed bypass and to encourage motorists to pay the M1 toll!

johnos1984 · 13-10-2010 10:39PM

jock101 wrote: »

Really??? The 50km/h speed limit wasnt that much faster, but at least you could drive safely and constantly! This 30km/h speed limit is creating more problems then solutions, with tailgating and road rage and most motorists ignore it anyway! It must be a pain in the backside for truckers! Especially having it for 3-4km. This is purely a cheap easy solution to replace the badly needed bypass and to encourage motorists to pay the M1 toll!

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I thought you would be delighted about this

jock101 · 13-10-2010 10:41PM

johnos1984 wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I thought you would be delighted about this

Why?

johnos1984 · 13-10-2010 10:44PM

jock101 wrote: »

Why?

Because of your constant rants and posts regarding speeding on here.

Or is that all in the past now?

Penn · 13-10-2010 10:45PM

It is really difficult to stick to the 30km/h. However, there are no speed cameras, just the traffic signs which show what speed you're doing and flash if you're over

jock101 · 13-10-2010 10:49PM

paddyirishman85 wrote: »

It is really difficult to stick to the 30km/h. However, there are no speed cameras, just the traffic signs which show what speed you're doing and flash if you're over

There are two grey and black speed camera warning signs, and there where 2 gatso vans on the N2 today.

Agent_47 · 13-10-2010 10:56PM

jock101 wrote: »

I was driving from Londonderry today and passed through Slane which has a 30km/h speed limit, which I believe came into force about a year ago. But I found it very dangerous not because of the 30km/h limit but because where the limit covers. It starts just before you enter the villege and continues for about 3-4km out the Dublin side of the N2. I found it very difficult to keep to 30km especially with the severe gradients, not to mention the crowns tailgating me, and with the Speed camera signs on the bridge and beside the castle entrance. I wasnt taking the chance. Is this limit really a safety issue or is it just there to aggravate the motorists and truckers to use the M1?

The limits are designed to protect life (after well publicised fatalities in the villlage) and to prevent drivers rocketing through the village north or south.

If you want speed, drop over to the M1.

jock101 · 13-10-2010 11:03PM

Agent_47 wrote: »

The limits are designed to protect life (after well publicised fatalities in the villlage) and to prevent drivers rocketing through the village north or south.

If you want speed, drop over to the M1.

Driving at 50km/h or 30mph is considered to be a standard urban/built up area cruising speed, and yes outside schools or near pedestrian crossings 30km/h is fine. But 30km/h from where the villege ends out to 2km's up the Dublin road is a bit over the top, especially with the steep hills!

Penn · 14-10-2010 08:13AM

jock101 wrote: »

There are two grey and black speed camera warning signs, and there where 2 gatso vans on the N2 today.

Trust me, there are no actual operational speed cameras at those locations. I've been driving through Slane daily for 2 years and living there for the past few months. If there were speed cameras, I'd be off the road.

I agree with having the 30km/h limit in the centre of the town, but it extends out too far, particularly on the Dublin side. In the stretch of road where you have to slow down from 100km/h to 50 to 30, you have to brake hard enough to slow down, which a lot of people don't do

shedweller · 14-10-2010 08:18AM

I'm guessing that because it's a given that everybody exceeds the speed limit then they might as well make the limit really low.
Then everybody will do the speed they are supposed to do!;)

I also think 30kph is way too slow on the Dublin side although you could argue that at the bridge itself, the hill, the crossroads and the school.

SlaneSkye · 19-11-2010 10:12PM

The 30kph speed limit was Meath County Councils's response to a multi-vehicle pile-up which occurred in Slane on 23rd/3rd/2010 - this is supposed to keep the residents of Slane safe until a more permanent solution, i.e. the Slane bypass, is built...success of speed limit to date? Questionable, accidents continue to occur with alarming regularity (unless someone is killed, the accidents in Slane don't make the national papers). This speed limit will never be effective unless properly policed - policing is patchy, at best. The only solution to the road safety issue at Slane is a bypass...but please, if you're passing through, slow down as you drive past the school!

shedweller · 19-11-2010 11:40PM

The school is the only place that 30kph is needed. Outside that should be 50kph territory if you ask me. And anyway, if people didnt exceed 50kph there would be no problems because any normal drivers reactions fall within 50kph.(citation needed, yeah yeah. etc. but drive at 30kph and you'll know what i mean!) If you cant react within that speed then you shouldn't be on the road.

djimi · 20-11-2010 12:27AM

Surely imposing a 30kmph speed limit is completely pointless as if someone is going to break a 50kmph limit then theyre hardly going to show much regard for a limit of 30? I dont know the road in question but would some kind of traffic calming (speed bumps or those chicane thingys) not be a better solution? At least that forces drivers to slow down.

Personally I think a 30kmph limit is massively overkill regardless of the situation, be it in Dublin city center, Slane road or anywhere else. Any potential safety gain from the slower speed is completely negated by the fact that the drivers have to spend so much effort trying to stick to the speed limit they are not able to devote as much concentration to their surroundings.

shedweller · 20-11-2010 12:47AM

djimi wrote: »

I dont know the road in question but would some kind of traffic calming (speed bumps or those chicane thingys) not be a better solution? At least that forces drivers to slow down.

I drive that road every day and i can assure you, speed bumps would annoy the hell out of me, not to mention my shock absorbers. But my local mechanic would do well so there is a silver lining i suppose...!!
I know people are generally morons when it comes to thinking about other peoples feelings(from behind the wheel), but draconian measures generally annoy the hell out of everyone. Speed bumps fall within this i think.
Ultimately we are going into into psychology because people dont give a toss until something affects them. Most people going through Slane dont give a toss, about anything outside their steering wheel at that point in time.
I think the last vestiges of the celtic tiger need to be flushed out and people need to get a grip of themselves; Imagine themselves walking up a road with cars breaking the speed limit or just going too fast to stop should a child walk out across the road. Because thats what kids do.
It would be great if drivers used their brain when they are behind the wheel.

Del2005 · 20-11-2010 12:18PM

djimi wrote: »

Surely imposing a 30kmph speed limit is completely pointless as if someone is going to break a 50kmph limit then theyre hardly going to show much regard for a limit of 30? I dont know the road in question but would some kind of traffic calming (speed bumps or those chicane thingys) not be a better solution? At least that forces drivers to slow down.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Slane,+Ireland&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=22.650231,56.513672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Slane,+County+Meath,+Ireland&ll=53.702436,-6.539891&spn=0.004116,0.013797&t=h&z=16

It's a steep hill down to a tight turn a across a narrow single lane bridge coming from the Dublin side with traffic lights at the bottom of the hill for the brigde! It's the main N2 road and used by loads of HGVs. Putting speed bumps on it would make it difficult for HGVs and buses to get out of Slane towards Dublin in rain or icy conditions as they've no run at the hill to build momentum. Not really a good idea to put extra work on drivers going down the hill by adding chicanes, it would be more dangerous then it already is.

What they really need is a different limit up the hill towards Dublin and keep the 30kph limit down the hill as that's the dangerous section, but this being Ireland they can't think like.

bmw535d · 20-11-2010 03:13PM

jock101 wrote: »

I was driving from Londonderry today

SORRY where????? Derry is that way and London is that way(points), and if anyone else made a thread complaining about a ridiculous speed limit you would be the first to come in with a big troll head on ya and say "speed kills" "stick to the speed limits for the sake of other road users such as myself".

London Derry i can't believe i read that from you.:mad:

Cassidy28 · 20-11-2010 04:54PM

A 30km/h speed limit where there are steep hills is crazy,but this is where there is likely to be speed checks,because they will Know that it is next to impossible to keep within that limit.A cyclist would go faster than that speed in that area with the hills.

Richard · 21-11-2010 10:45AM

bmw535d wrote: »

SORRY where?????

The official name of the city most people call Derry. But then you knew that, didn't you?

Bill G · 21-11-2010 10:52AM

jock101 wrote: »

I found it very difficult to keep to 30km especially with the severe gradients

If you find it very difficult to keep your car at a certain speed on a moderate hill like Slane, then you should not have a driving license.

Fore Iron · 21-11-2010 11:16AM

Have to agree with Bill G here. Don't blame your inability to drive at a constant speed on the speed limit. You're actually suggesting by deduction that a really steep hill should have a 120kmh limit because it'd be hard on your brakes to stay at 50. F**k the schoolkids and pedestrians. It's just too tough to drive properly!

shedweller was spot on also. Except for one thing that is. Speed bumps are designed to make you drive slowly by risking damage if you drive over them too fast. That's how they work. I am constantly amazed at people who complain about speed ramps because they'll wreck your car if you go over them too fast. THAT'S THE WHOLE IDEA!!!!

Your mechanic won't have a bumper year if you drive over them at an appropriate speed.

For the Slane complainers - driving at 30kmh instead of 50kmh on that stretch of raod will take you exactly 96 seconds longer. If you are on a trip that you can't afford that tiny extension to your travelling time, you should have asked for a police escort. Derry to Dublin would be 3 hours 22 minutes instead of 3 hours 20. And you felt the need to complain about it?

Just stick to the limits for Gods sake. If you can't handle the hills then take a different route. Can you not see how arrogant it is to declare that you want to take that road and also want to choose the speed you can drive on it?

Atomic Pineapple · 21-11-2010 11:46AM

Fore Iron wrote: »

Have to agree with Bill G here. Don't blame your inability to drive at a constant speed on the speed limit. You're actually suggesting by deduction that a really steep hill should have a 120kmh limit because it'd be hard on your brakes to stay at 50. F**k the schoolkids and pedestrians. It's just too tough to drive properly!

shedweller was spot on also. Except for one thing that is. Speed bumps are designed to make you drive slowly by risking damage if you drive over them too fast. That's how they work. I am constantly amazed at people who complain about speed ramps because they'll wreck your car if you go over them too fast. THAT'S THE WHOLE IDEA!!!!

Your mechanic won't have a bumper year if you drive over them at an appropriate speed.

For the Slane complainers - driving at 30kmh instead of 50kmh on that stretch of raod will take you exactly 96 seconds longer. If you are on a trip that you can't afford that tiny extension to your travelling time, you should have asked for a police escort. Derry to Dublin would be 3 hours 22 minutes instead of 3 hours 20. And you felt the need to complain about it?

Just stick to the limits for Gods sake. If you can't handle the hills then take a different route. Can you not see how arrogant it is to declare that you want to take that road and also want to choose the speed you can drive on it?

Can you not read? The OP said he/she travelled at 30km/h and found it to be dangerous going up the hill, which is understandable.

The school is nowhere near the hills either side of the bridge, and you are not involved with the main part of the town on either meaning pedestrian numbers decrease not increase.

Accidents do happen in Slane because of inappropriate speeds but as ever the reaction is to drop the speed limit to keep people happy instead of spending money on areal solution.

Fore Iron · 21-11-2010 11:55AM

Uphill or Downhill is all the same to me. You could be driving uphill and meet the back of a queue. What's the feeckin difference? Should we ban queues too to make it easier on your clutch? The problem is dirving skill not speed limits it seems.

As for setting slower speed limits being a stupid solution - I have yet to see two stationary cars crash into each other, so I really can never understand how anyone can say that lower speeds will result in anything but either fewer or LESS SEVERE accidents.

When it comes to pedestrians, speed is the only thing that counts and directly dictates your chances of survival.

I really hope you won't start the usual rant that people seem so desperate to hold on to - accidents are not caused by excessive speed they are caused solely by poor driving.....

Atomic Pineapple · 21-11-2010 12:26PM

Fore Iron wrote: »

Uphill or Downhill is all the same to me. You could be driving uphill and meet the back of a queue. What's the feeckin difference? Should we ban queues too to make it easier on your clutch? The problem is dirving skill not speed limits it seems.

As for setting slower speed limits being a stupid solution - I have yet to see two stationary cars crash into each other, so I really can never understand how anyone can say that lower speeds will result in anything but either fewer or LESS SEVERE accidents.

When it comes to pedestrians, speed is the only thing that counts and directly dictates your chances of survival.

I really hope you won't start the usual rant that people seem so desperate to hold on to - accidents are not caused by excessive speed they are caused solely by poor driving.....

Try to look at the bigger picture once in awhile,

Going uphill is inherently different to going downhill, if its the same to you then a lesson in physics is in order.

Your comment about stationary cars says it all really, 50km/h is perfectly safe as a speed limit, the issue is that people break this limit and cause the accidents, how is lowering the limit going to stop people just breaking the new limit? The same people will break the 30km/h just the same as the 50 km/h but in turn you also infuriate people who can drive safely at 50km/h

Lowering the limit is a way to keep people with narrow thinking minds happy, while not actually doing anything positive.

slimjimmc · 21-11-2010 12:51PM

draffodx wrote: »

Try to look at the bigger picture once in awhile,

Going uphill is inherently different to going downhill, if its the same to you then a lesson in physics is in order.

Your comment about stationary cars says it all really, 50km/h is perfectly safe as a speed limit, the issue is that people break this limit and cause the accidents, how is lowering the limit going to stop people just breaking the new limit? The same people will break the 30km/h just the same as the 50 km/h but in turn you also infuriate people who can drive safely at 50km/h

Lowering the limit is a way to keep people with narrow thinking minds happy, while not actually doing anything positive.

The aim is to get people to slow down. I'm sure councils recognise that plenty of people will disobey speed limits but very few ignore them completely. For example they might do 70kph in 60kph zone or 60kph in a 50kph zone.
These people would most likely drop their speed in a 30kph zone too, maybe not to below the limit but probably a lot slower than they otherwise would have done. Also don't forget that other traffic obeying or even just over the limit would tend to slow down traffic behind.

It would be nice if a different speed limit could be applied for uphill/downhill directions but at the moment the law doesn't provide it. Same with having to low limits when leaving road works.

Atomic Pineapple · 21-11-2010 01:03PM

slimjimmc wrote: »

The aim is to get people to slow down. I'm sure councils recognise that plenty of people will disobey speed limits but very few ignore them completely. For example they might do 70kph in 60kph zone or 60kph in a 50kph zone.
These people would most likely drop their speed in a 30kph zone too, maybe not to below the limit but probably a lot slower than they otherwise would have done. Also don't forget that other traffic obeying or even just over the limit would tend to slow down traffic behind.

It would be nice if a different speed limit could be applied for uphill/downhill directions but at the moment the law doesn't provide it. Same with having to low limits when leaving road works.

When its as ridiculous as 30km/h the majority ignore it completely, believe me I'm from near Slane.

L1011 · 21-11-2010 03:15PM

Richard wrote: »

The official name of the city most people call Derry. But then you knew that, didn't you?

Its the "official name" for a city which is legally called Derry (http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/). Basically its the name on the charter, and nowhere else.

bmw535d · 21-11-2010 04:40PM

Richard wrote: »

The official name of the city most people call Derry. But then you knew that, didn't you?

the official name for **** stirring *****rs! yes.

experiMental · 21-11-2010 06:48PM

I was doing 39 kph in Slane where there were no cameras. I felt a tiny bit guilty.

But in all fairness, there were no pedestrians in the area at all. It felt weird. So I just wanted to get out of there.

shedweller · 22-11-2010 10:40AM

jock101 wrote: »

But I found it very dangerous..............because where the limit covers.
I found it very difficult to keep to 30km especially with the severe gradients, not to mention the crowns tailgating me, and with the Speed camera signs on the bridge and beside the castle entrance. I wasnt taking the chance. Is this limit really a safety issue or is it just there to aggravate the motorists and truckers to use the M1?

It is a bit more difficult to maintain 30kph, moreso on a steep downhill. But dangerous? Explain.
Also, learn to ignore tailgaters.
I would tend to agree with your point about aggravating truckers, although there was a pileup recently after a trucks brakes failed and it rammed a few cars around the road like skittles.

draffodx wrote: »

Accidents do happen in Slane because of inappropriate speeds but as ever the reaction is to drop the speed limit to keep people happy instead of spending money on areal solution.

What solution would that be?

draffodx wrote: »

Your comment about stationary cars says it all really, 50km/h is perfectly safe as a speed limit, the issue is that people break this limit and cause the accidents, how is lowering the limit going to stop people just breaking the new limit? The same people will break the 30km/h just the same as the 50 km/h but in turn you also infuriate people who can drive safely at 50km/h

Agreed, the roads each side of the crossroads should be 30kph, but the hill down towards the bridge is too slow at 30kph. An enforced 50kph would be more suitable, as would be the hill up from the bridge, towards Dublin.

draffodx wrote: »

When its as ridiculous as 30km/h the majority ignore it completely, believe me I'm from near Slane.

Yay! for mass disobediance!! If we then had everybody ignore the fines and resulting court appearances then we'd be onto something!

vetstu · 22-11-2010 10:49AM

The limit will not help if a lorry's brakes fail as it will build momentum going down the hill on the main street anyway.

Atomic Pineapple · 22-11-2010 10:56AM

shedweller wrote: »

What solution would that be?

Traffic calming measures, rumble strips, close the road in with physical islands in the middle of the road, use overbearing signs in the middle of the road and sides that state the speed limit (if its 50km/h) basically create an environment where it forces people to slow down.

Of course a bypass and ban trucks from going through Slane would be the ultimate solution.

shedweller wrote: »

Agreed, the roads each side of the crossroads should be 30kph, but the hill down towards the bridge is too slow at 30kph. An enforced 50kph would be more suitable, as would be the hill up from the bridge, towards Dublin.

I think 30km/h is only valid from the graveyard to the church, 50km/h is fine elsewhere in the town.

shedweller wrote: »

Yay! for mass disobediance!! If we then had everybody ignore the fines and resulting court appearances then we'd be onto something!

My point was that simply lowering the speed limit is just a token gesture that has no real effect.

Slane Resident · 08-12-2010 08:32PM

From a residents point of view, when the speed limit was 50 kph, a lot of traffic including HGVs would travel at 70 kph. With the speed limit lowered to 30 kph, residents primarily do 30 kph (and get blown out of it by traffic behind them :rolleyes:) but traffic generally does 50 kph. 20 kph above the speed limit appears to be the "accepted" limit, so by reducing it to 30 kph speeds have dropped by 20 kph.

Of course, if they put speed cameras or Gatso vans in, things might improve further.

30km/h Speed Limit at Slane

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