The majority of the 58,000 new signs needed for the metrification of speed limits have been delivered to local authorities ahead of the introduction of the kilometres-per-hour system on January 20th next, writes Marie O'Halloran.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Cullen, told the Dáil that the signs, to cover about 97,000 kms of road were part of a major logistical challenge involving 34 city and county councils.
Finishing the second-stage debate on the Road Traffic Bill, whose measures allow for the changeover of speed limits from miles- to kilometres-per-hour, Mr Cullen stressed that there would be a major statewide integrated public awareness program involving television, radio and press advertising.
He added that there would be a "particular focus on the Border region, ports and airports".
Pointing out that there would be a three-day changeover period from January 17th to 20th when both metric and imperial signs would be on the roads and he appealed for "extra care and patience" on the roads while that process was being completed.
"A public information and awareness campaign will focus on heightening awareness of speed limits during this period, to avoid confusion while the new speed limit signs are being erected," he told TDs, who expressed concern about the lack of awareness in the time remaining before the changeover.
Mr Cullen added that there had been consultations with the Northern Ireland authorities and that information traffic signs on metrification were being prepared for Border areas as well as ports and airports.
Stressing that enforcement was the key to road safety, he also said it was important that "our system of speed limits, which is the central component of this Bill, should be seen to be reasonable, appropriate, flexible and geared to the promotion of road safety".
A number of deputies expressed outrage and the range of speed limits on a single roadway. Mr Willie Penrose (Labour, Westmeath) said that the "law can be an ass and that is when it loses respect. The law is an ass on the N4".
On the road between Mullingar and Dublin there were five different speed limits and "when one reaches the only decent stretch of road in an area, the speed limit decreases from 60 m.p.h. to 50 m.p.h".
It was reduced again to 30 and back up to 40 m.p.h. at Heuston Station. "I don't know who came up with these great speed limits, which cultivate a lack of respect for the law."
Mr Cullen acknowledged the "tension" in the application of speed limits between the need for national standardisation and the need for local flexibility to cater for particular needs.
Fine Gael's former transport spokesman, Mr Denis Naughten, said the penalty points system had "saved lives and has the potential to save thousands more, there are serious questions about its fairness. That unmarked Garda vans and cars are hidden on long, straight sections of road, with gardaí instructed to reach target quotas every month, does nothing to change the attitudes of Irish drivers".
The Bill will now be discussed in committee.