Speed detection needed in housing estates

There has been a lot of talk of speed this week.

The National Roads Authority is proposing a rush hour speed reduction to 60km/h on the M50 in a bid to reduce what it calls the "accordion effect", where vehicles braking on a heavily trafficked route cause a ripple reaction behind them.

Most of us would love to be able to travel at 60km/h on the motorway at peak times instead of moving at a brisk walking pace, so it will be interesting to see if there is any merit to the NRA's proposal.

But traffic congestion on the capital's busiest route was the last thing on the minds of the parents of little Jake Brennan (6), who was tragically killed by a car outside his home. They held a three-night vigil outside the Dáil to promote their campaign for a speed reduction to 20km/h in residential areas. The initiative, which has become known as 'Jake's Law', was the subject of a Sinn Féin bill and was met with widespread political support, despite warnings from the Minister for Transport that its implementation could prove problematic.

But like everything else in this country, a law is only as good as its enforcement. Reduced speed limits in housing estates will do little for the safety of our children if the detection vans are not moved from our motorways and major roads and into residential areas.

One of the most notorious speed traps is regularly located on the N4, just as you exit the M50 near Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. This is not an area where children play football on the green or even where pedestrians cross the road. It always strikes me as revenue raising exercise rather than a safety measure.

I would like to see the accident statistics for this particular spot because I can't help but think that communities would be far better served if this van was located in nearby housing estates.

Residents' associations also need to play a stronger role in reducing the risk to children's lives. Attempts by parents to have speed reduction measures introduced in their areas are often thwarted by a minority of people who are afraid that ramps or excessive signage will lower the tone of the area or - God forbid - affect property prices.

In my experience, local authorities are slow to act on calls for speed reduction measures unless there is a broad consensus among residents.

On a related note, have you noticed the reduction in the numbers of so-called boy racers on our roads? I'm not just talking about the 'skangers in bangers', but also the young men who spend a fortune modifying their cars.

There was a time when boy racers plagued my community; now they are reduced to one or two brain dead idiots. You'd almost miss the obnoxious roar of their souped-up back boxes in the middle of the night.

So where have they all gone? My guess is that a large section of the boy racer demographic have either been forced to emigrate or have lost their jobs and can no longer afford to pimp their rides.

Whoever said there was nothing good about the recession?