Local authority moves to change over to metric speed limits in stages ahead of next week's deadline, have left gardaí admitting there "could be loopholes" in implementing speeding fines over the next seven days.
A number of authorities have revealed that a Department of the Environment directive issued on Monday allowed them unveil signs ahead of schedule, because of the threat of bad weather. Several authorities areas will have only km/h signs three days before mph limits expire.
Despite a €2million awareness campaign, which says that metrication will not come into force until midnight on Wednesday, January 19th, many motorists will effectively be driving under the new limits - which in some cases exceed restrictions currently in force - from early next week.
Although they insist existing limits will be rigorously enforced over the next seven days, gardaí concede that confusion in areas now displaying only metric signs may lead to legal grey areas. "There may be a loophole," a Garda spokesperson admitted, "but we will prosecute speeders and it will then be a matter for the courts."
The Department of Transport warns motorists not to rely on the apparent loophole to avoid prosecution. "Under legislation, a driver should be aware of the speed limit regardless of the signs," said a spokesperson.
Limits on national routes will increase from 60mph to 100km/h (62mph). On motorways the limit rises from 70mph to 120km/h (74mph).
The early switch could lead some to inadvertently break the law. Gardaí, though, have said they will "give no quarter" to speeding motorists who feel they can take advantage of the situation. "The limits will stay the same until January 20th," says Inspector Michael Brosnan of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, "and we will continue to enforce them."
Marcus O'Connor from North Tipperary Co Council, said the council had been covering the signs until it got the new instructions. "We were originally told to keep the new signs covered," he says. "Then we were told the process could begin as early as January 10th because of bad weather."
Kerry Co Council began replacing 2,500 mph signs earlier this week and plans to have the changes done by January 17th. "We've been advised that there is no requirement to cover the signs until January 20th," says the council's Frank Hartnett. "You could never have waved a magic wand. There was always going to be a lead-in period."
In Co Wicklow, km/h signs are erected but covered on national routes through the county, but many of the 1,000 new signs on non-national routes are already up and visible, more than a week early. "As much as we would like the drama of unveiling the signs at midnight on January 19th, it's just not feasible to take off all the covers at once," explains Christine Flood from the council's road and transport department.