Road Safety

Winter Salting Programme 2009-2010
Weather forecast, Road Conditions and Driving Tips
Laois County Council & An Garda Síochána
Road Safety & our Children
Illegal Parking of Vehicles on Public Roads

In 2005 there were a total of 102 reported injury accidents in County Laois , 9 of which were fatal. Over 507 material damage accidents were also recorded on roads in Laois for 2005.

We strive to improve road safety by, amongst other things, carrying out low cost safety improvement works. Allocations are provided for schemes on Non-National Roads by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (www.environ.ie). The National Roads Authority (www.nra.ie) provides funding for similar schemes on National Roads. Works carried out to date include the provision of signs, lines and turning lanes at junctions on main roads, the provision of chevrons signs and road edge deliniation along entire routes, and the improvement of sightlines and junction layouts at substandard junctions.

In certain circumstances low cost safety improvement measures may not be suitable, and more comprehensive improvement works are required. In these cases specific allocations must be made available.

Traffic calming schemes form another part of the overall approach to improve road safety in the county. Traffic calming elements have been used in many other locations throughout the county such as Ballylinan, Ballinakill, Portlaoise and Mountrath.

Inclement Winter weather results in frost and ice on the roads, bringing about an increased risk of collisions and loss of control accidents. During the winter months ground and air temperatures are monitored by Laois County Council staff, and when appropriate salting and gritting crews are called out. The Winter salting programme results in safer roads with an annual spreading of over 1100 tons of salt on National and Regional Roads in Laois. The 2009-2010 Salting Schedule for Laois is available to download below:-

Winter Salting Programme 2009-2010 Winter Salting Programme 2009-2010 Winter Salting Programme 2009-2010

TEMPORARY SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION ON THE N80 BETWEEN ARLES AND BALLICKMOYLER, CO. LAOIS.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Roads Traffic Act 2004, Laois County Council hereby gives notice of its intention to reduce the speed limit to 50kph to facilitate road improvement works at the following location for up to 3 months from 13th September 2010 to the 13th December, 2010, both dates inclusive.

N80 between Arles and Ballickmoyler from the existing 50kph speed limit zone in Arles to the existing 50kph speed limit zone in Ballickmoyler.

A map showing the speed limit reduction may be inspected below:

Arles/Ballickmoyler Speed Limit Reduction

Representation may be made in writing to the Administrative Officer, Roads, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.  The latest date for receipt of such representations is 4.00p.m. on Wednesday 8th September, 2010.