A survey of traffic speed outside a school in Dublin found that nearly 60% of drivers were breaking the speed limit. Continental Tyres worked with seventeen Transition Year students from Drimnagh Castle Secondary School to monitor vehicle speeds on Long Mile Road.
Laser Technology Inc. provided the speed guns used for the measuring, including the LTI 20:20. Over 200 vehicles were monitored with students also noting the gender and approximate age of the driver plus the type of vehicle. Long Mile Road is - as the name suggests - a long, straight road with a 30km/h speed limit at times when students are travelling to or from school. Flashing signs highlight the limit at times when it is in force.
Of the drivers monitored 58% were travelling in excess of the speed limit. The highest speed recorded was 62km/h by a BMW 5 Series driven by a man in the 50-60 age range. It was also found that 55% of drivers exceeding 30km/h were female.
Anything else?
Fergal Kelleher, Transition Year coordinator commented on the findings: "We are thankful to Continental Tyres in helping to raise the issue of road safety around schools. For ourselves, located as we are on a straight, wide main road, there have been some issues in the past with road safety. The speed test really showed us the extent of speeding on the Long Mile Road and in the interests of our students' safety, we would strongly urge drivers to slow down and exercise extra caution when driving near our school and indeed, any school."