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Switch to metric speed limits delayed and confused -
Mitchell
Date: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 Topic: Transport (from Politics.ie) The Government is rushing ahead with the switchover to a metric speed limit system but has done almost nothing to prepare the public for this massive change, Fine Gael Transport Spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell TD said today (Wednesday). She was speaking in advance of a D�il debate on the road Traffic Bill 2004. "Although we have known of the metrification requirement for some time, and although it has been postponed on several occasions, we still find ourselves totally unprepared and uninformed for the January introductory deadline. "The public has absolutely no knowledge of the new metric system or of the new range of speed limits. No attempt has been made to alert motorists to the changeover or to inform them of what is required of them and it is difficult now to see how an effective public information campaign can be implemented before 22nd January. "This would be particularly critical in the border areas where Northern Ireland drivers will retain the old imperial system. "The level of preparation and information compares very poorly with the euro changeover where a special Changeover Board was set up well in advance to oversee a seamless overnight transition. The 'Big Bang' nature of the euro changeover was a marked success, and the same principle should have been applied to metrification. "A further worrying aspect of the legislation is provision for an open-ended transitional phase. This will only further confuse motorists, make them more likely to incur penalty points and, more seriously, compromise road safety." (Here is the link to the
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- [USMA:31407] New metrication bill in Ireland Ezra Steinberg
