Speed vans and Gardaí are not stopping speeding in Laois, says councillor

More speed safety measures are urgently needed in Laois, as local councillors have argued that speed vans and Garda enforcement measures are currently not working.

Councillor James Kelly raised the issue of speeding at the December meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick MD. He requested that the council install road speed indicators on the straight at Ringstown in Mountrath as the 80km speed zone is not being adhered to.

Cllr Kelly said that people living along the stretch of road are very concerned as drivers are travelling up to 120km/h along it. One resident noted that there are blind dips on certain parts of the road which is exacerbating the danger.

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The Laois County Council Road Design team told Cllr Kelly: "The budget is fully expended for this current year and will be reviewed in line with the budget preparation for 2026." They also added that speed units cost in the region of €10,000 per pair and this does not cover installation costs.

Cllr Kelly responded that he hopes the issue will be addressed in the new year and if it is not, speed signage will have to be looked into.

Cllr Ollie Clooney urged that speed is "a problem everywhere." He said: "The gardaí have to come up to the measure because they're not coming up to the measure at the moment. And the speed vans are a joke."

He added that it shouldn't be left up to the council. 

The councillor said speed vans are in the same place and so people know where they are. He questioned whether signs are being read, stating that the only way to stop the problem is through people's pockets with fines.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme