Council opposes jakes law on speed

Local councillors have been unsuccessful in trying to introduce a 20kmph speed limit in housing estates in Tipperary.
Several councillors had put forward notices of motion broadly calling for Tipperary Co Council to support the 'Jake's Law' Dáil Bill, named after six-year old Jake Brennan from Kilkenny, who died after being hit by a car last year. Jake's parents subsequently launched a campaign seeking a 20kmph speed limit in all housing estates.

Though he appreciated the sentiment behind the proposal, Director of Services Marcus O'Connor told last week's meeting of Tipperary Co Council that such a speed limit would be 'ridiculously slow'.

At the meeting, Cllr Jim Ryan (Ind) expressed disappointment that the Government would not be implementing such a law. He said the book has now been passed to local authorities and called on the council to introduce a byelaw to secure the speed limit sought by Jake Brennan's parents.
Cllr Ryan referred to Road Safety Authority figures indicating that a child struck by a car travelling at 60kmph would die. There would be a 50/50 chance of survival where a car was travelling at 50kmph, and a 90% chance of survival if the car travelled at 20kmph.
In support, Cllr Martin Browne (SF) called for a survey of Tipperary estates for the provision of speed ramps. Ramps are effective in combatting speed, he said, adding that anyone he has spoken to in the emergency services does not have a problem with them.
Cllr David Dunne (SF) believed a 20kmph speed limit is generally wanted and could work. No one thought the plastic bag levy or smoking ban would work but they did, he said.
Cllr Tom Wood (Ind) said traffic calming measures should form part of planning conditions for private estates. Only 14% of the country's 8,700 estates have speed ramps, he said.
But Director of Services Marcus O'Connor described a 20kmph – or 12mph – speed limit as 'ridiculously slow'. Thankfully, he said, accidents in housing estates are generally infrequent and generally relate to vehicles reversing. A special limit would not counteract this, nor would it be enforceable, Mr O'Connor said, pointing out that gardaí would not have the resources to monitor speed in estates.
The director said a 20kmph speed limit does not make sense. He also regarded speed ramps as a 'last resort', and said the council has letters from the National Ambulance Service documenting the problems its members have with ramps.
Mr O'Connor agreed that the solution lies in the design of estates, which should have narrow carriageways and wider footpaths. He said he lives in an estate himself and does not want ramps; he suggested that perhaps fewer than 14% of estates should have ramps.
Cllrs Ryan and Browne rejected this, maintaining that all of the residents they have spoken to would prefer speed ramps in their estates.
Meanwhile, Mr O'Connor said the council will shortly advertise a countywide speed limit review. This will be done in conjunction with the gardaí. Revised speed limit byelaws will be advertised and the council will be inviting submissions.