TWO of the main arteries into Limerick city are to have signage installed to alert so-called ‘ghost’ drivers that they are heading the wrong way.
“Ghost’ driving – or driving the incorrect way down a dual carriageway, is becoming an increasing problem, according to gardai.
The N 18 has seen a particular problem when drivers find themselves unexpectedly approaching the toll tunnel and then doing an illegal U-turn to avoid paying the toll.
“Incidents can take place as a result of drivers entering the slip road in the wrong direction, travelling down the slip road in the correct direction and then turning right towards oncoming traffic, or when traffic stops on the dual carriageway and does a U-turn in the hard shoulder to travel back down the road,” said Sean O’Neill, spokesperson for the National Roads Authority.
Research indicates that 40% of ‘ghost’ driving takes place at Intersections, where drivers either travel down an exit slip the incorrect way, or travel down the entry slip the correct way and then turn towards oncoming traffic, 23% takes place as a result of drivers doing a u-turn on the main line, and 22% as a result of drivers misinterpreting the transition between a 2-way carriageway and a divided carriageway.
“The numbers in Ireland are difficult to clearly breakdown into the different categories but video footage within the Limerick Tunnel area would indicate that all forms of ‘ghost’ driving is taking place,” Mr O’Neill told the Limerick Post.
As a result, the NRA are currently piloting a vehicle activated sign at four interchanges, two on interchanges on the M18 into Limerick and two at interchanges on the M7 at Portloaise.
The sign is activated in two ways. The regulatory symbol in red is activated by the approaching vehicle, the warning sign in yellow is also activated by the approaching traffic; however, this symbol flashes to the warn the driver. At the same time, the NRA’s National Traffic Centre is notified of the incident.
The signs cost in the region of €10,000 each, including installation. If they prove successful in Limerick, it’s planned to roll them out countrywide.
