Traffic signs to indicate speed limits in kilometres per hour instead of miles per hour.
From September, all road signs will display speed limits in kilometres per hour (kmh) replacing miles per hour (mph).
All road signs will be shown in kilometres rather than miles.
Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan, announced the launch of an information campaign to provide instruction to motorists about the new system. The changes include speed limits on many country roads from 60 mph to 50 mph equating to 80 kmh under the new system. On motorways, the speed limit will change from 60 mph to 100 kmh.
All of the changes are in the interest of road safety.
Seamus Brennan says that there are many roads throughout the country where the speed limits are too low and it might be safer if those limits go up. The switch to metric will be used to revise all speed limits.
The minister and the National Roads Authority (NRA) have announced a major expansion of the National Roads Programme with a guaranteed budget of €8 million over the next five years. This will involve the commencement of 17 new schemes this year including by-passes for Dundalk, Ashbourne, and Ennis, as well as a new inner-relief road for Sligo. Peter Malone, NRA, is optimistic about the new plans and says that most projects are coming in ahead of schedule. All of these new schemes are expected to be finished by the end of 2007.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 5 February 2004. The reporter is Eileen Whelan.
