Metric speed limit awareness campaign launched
Thursday, 6 January 2005
A public awareness campaign was launched today to prepare motorists for the changeover to metric speed limits in two weeks' time.
From Thursday 20 January, speed limits on Irish roads will change from mph to km/h.
The speed limit on 91% of Ireland's 96,000km of roads will decrease.
The main change will be the lowering of the speed limit on regional and local roads to 80km/h which equates to 50mph.
On the remaining 9%, including motorways and national roads, the speed limit will increase slightly.
Local authorities will be able to apply special speed limits but will have to consult with the public whenever such bylaws are being created.
Over 58,000 speed limit signs will be erected by local authorities in the run-up to the changeover.
The public awareness campaign will involve TV, national and local radio, national and local and fee sheet press, billboard advertising and a dedicated website, www.gometric.ie.
Also 1.6 million special information leaflets are being distributed by An Post to all household and business addresses in the state by 14 January.
- Morning Ireland: Eddie Shaw, National Safety Council Chairman, discusses the decrease in speed limits on 91% of Irish roads as a result of the conversion to the metric system
- 1 News: Eileen Whelan reports as preparations get underway for the changeover to the metric system
- 6.1 News: Eileen Whelan reports on the campaign ahead of the changeover to metric speed limits on 20 January
- 9 News: Eileen Whelan reports on the changeover to metric speed limits and road signs
