Laois drivers speeding unwittingly due to Google Maps, Councillor claims

Some motorists have been shown incorrect speed limits on roads because Google hasn’t updated its maps, a Councillor has said. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran raised the issue at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. 

She tabled a motion asking: “That Laois County Council provide new speed signage at junctions, so drivers are aware of the change in speed zones. As Google updates all maps and speed limits on cars, drivers are being told it's a different speed to the limit on the road”.

Cllr Moran explained that she had requested a speed van be placed on a road where there had been a number of accidents. 

“The van arrives out and catches every single person that uses the road because everybody thought the road was still an 80,” she said. 

Cllr Moran said she was approached by a number of people who were caught for speeding but were all doing under 80kph. Speed limits on local roads were changed in many parts of Laois changed from 80kph to 60kph as part of a national safety measure last February.  

She said the Barrowhouse Road had a lot of speeding on it but now that it is down to an 60kph it would take an hour to get from Athy to Carlow. She said her own car was relatively new and it indicated that the speed zone was 80kph. 

“If there is no signage I think there should be some sort of leniency on it,” she told the meeting. 

Senior Executive Engineer, Tom Drennan read a response from the Road Design Engineer. He said:  “Road Design will contact the RMO with a view to seeking assistance on the noted

Issue. We will carry out an internal review of the existing signage network with a view to installing additional speed signage, subject to funding where required.”