Kerry council urged to install speed bumps in ‘every town and village’ to make drivers slow down

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has urged the council to install speed bumps in “every town and village” in north Kerry.

Councillor Michael Foley, current KCC cathaoirleach, said it was the only way to stop dangerous speeding in the area.

“If we’re serious about stopping speeding in villages and towns, and I know how signs can be effective, the only way to stop them now is slowing ramps,” said Cllr Foley.

“They should be there coming into every town. It’s the only way without a shadow of a doubt.”

Mr Foley said he saw the effect of cable protection ramps in other counties and that the council should be looking to introduce them in Kerry as soon as possible.

The plastic ramps, often used at road works and festivals, could provide a quick and cheap solution to the thorny problem, he said.

“They would be more effective than the responsive signs that measure your speed, which often don’t deter the more serious offenders,” Cllr Foley continued.

He receives calls constantly from constituents relaying their worries about dangerous speeding in their town.

As for the new government legislation reducing the default speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h, Cllr Foley said there was no point if there was no one to enforce it.

He said it was not practical to use camera vans.

“If you had those cable top ramps, you will have to slow down, you have no choice but to slow down. So Kerry County Council has to bring in a policy which will put these in our towns and villages,” said Mr Foley.