‘People feel they can get away with it!”

Car clocked at 139km/h driving past school on rural road

Blistering speeds clocked outside a national school on a rural road have shocked and alarmed elected reps who are demanding urgent action before a fatality happens.

Concerns about speeding on local roads intensified at the recent Ballyjamesduff MD meeting following the revelation of striking traffic data to local councillors. The figures were presented following a motion from Cllr Shane P. O’Reilly calling for increased pressure on the Department of Transport and warning that further delays to the Virginia bypass are no longer acceptable.

Senior Executive Engineer John McGahern outlined speed survey results recorded outside Knocktemple National School, describing them as “crazy” and deeply concerning. On December 11, 2025, a car was recorded travelling at 139 kilometres per hour past the school at 7am, the same speed by a car was recorded at 7pm that evening. The official speed limit at the location is 60km/h - meaning the vehicle was travelling at more than twice the permitted speed - breaking even motorway limits.

Additional data revealed that a motorbike was recorded travelling at 120km/h, while a truck reached speeds of 73km/h. The 85th percentile speed - commonly used to assess general traffic behaviour - was recorded at 83km/h, 23km/h above the speed limit. Comparable surveys from the previous year (conducted on March 21, 2024) showed a highest recorded speed of 137km/h at the same location, when the speed limit was still 80km/h.

Mr McGahern stressed that the issue is not a lack of signage or awareness. He noted that the area is clearly marked, with a “gateway” of speed limit signs in place, flashing warning signs that activate when vehicles exceed 60km/h, and road markings designed to alert drivers. “Nobody thinks the speed limit doesn’t exist,” he said. “The problem is that people feel they can get away with it.”

He added that the Knocktemple data is not an isolated case, stating that similar speeding issues had been recorded across the county on 44 school locations.

“This is everywhere,” he said with the core issue being driver behaviour rather than infrastructure. He argued that many motorists simply believed “there will be no consequences”.

He cited a recent court case in which a driver, caught travelling at 172km/h, was later allowed to retain his driving licence. “Why would they even consider slowing down?” he asked.

Councillors expressed shock at the figures and voiced growing concern for residents living along local roads that are increasingly being used as rat-runs to bypass the town. Independent Ireland's Shane P. O’Reilly said the speeding data reinforces the urgency of the motion, which calls for formal notice to be given to the Minister for Transport regarding continued delays to the bypass project. “Even if we started tomorrow, it will be another decade until it’s done!”

In the meantime, he said, the local authority is being forced to fund repairs to local roads that were never designed to carry such volumes of traffic. Repeated attempts to engage with the Department of Transport - including requests for meetings and additional funding – have been ignored.

“It’s time to hit our fist on the table,” agreed Cllr T.P. O’Reilly (FG). His party colleague, Cllr Winston Bennett, questioned why it was taking so long and demanded the TII to “get diggers in and get it started!”.

The N3 Virginia Bypass, approved by TII, is being led by Cavan County Council. Procurement is expected to begin in 2028, with construction anticipated to start in 2029.

While no contract has yet been awarded, the project’s cost is estimated in the €250-€500 million range.

Several councillors echoed fears that a fatality is inevitable if current conditions persist. “They are flying past the schools like rockets,” Cllr Noel Connell (SF) described the situation; while Cllr T.P. O’Reilly referred to two accidents in the past two weeks in the Munterconnaught area. He had flagged his concerns with the local garda sergeant who promised more surveillance but stressed challenges around manpower.

“A €500 fine for 10km/h above the speed limit would help,” Cllr T.P. O’Reilly suggested.

Despite some debate over traffic congestion, Mr McGahern felt that delays through the town are often exaggerated.

The councillors agreed. Regardless of individuals claiming the 19km long rat-run from Whitegate to Lisgrey would only take them 10 minutes - the diversion wouldn’t be much quicker - if adhering to speed limits. The motion to formally notify the Minister of Transport and escalate pressure for the bypass through organised protest received strong support, with councillors unanimous in their agreement that continued inaction is unacceptable.

“No one wants to wait for a tragedy before something is done.”