Almost 97% of motorists in Dublin city are breaking the controversial new 30kmph speed limits, according to a traffic survey conducted by the Sunday Tribune.

The results have fuelled further calls for a U-turn on the contentious Labour party initiative, which was introduced last January. The new law placed restrictions on several new roads in the capital, including much of the quays area.

In a weekday sample of 150 cars over a period of two and a half hours, just 3.3% of cars – or five in total – had respected the limits.

With the aid of a Bushnell Velocity radar speed gun, the survey was taken in Aston Quay, Wellington Quay, Wood Quay, Winetavern Street and Inns Quay, five major traffic arteries included in the new speed limit zone.

While the majority of vehicles were driven carefully and avoided excessive speeds, more than 95% of motorists seemed oblivious to the new laws.

"The population is voting with their cars. Fortunately for most of them, the gardaí seem to agree with the coalition for common sense rather than the Labour party," said Bill Tormey, a Fine Gael councillor who is opposed to the move.

The majority of recorded traffic (42.6%) drove between 31 and 40 kmph. Close to this, at 40.6%, were those who drove at between 41kmph and 50kmph. Twelve per cent of vehicles drove considerably faster than the limit (51 to 60 kmph) while just 3.3% obeyed the law. Just 1.3% of traffic was clocked at more than twice the limit.

The vast majority of drivers chose to drive at reasonable speed and in line with traffic in front.

At various parts of the quays, traffic didn't have time to accumulate speed due to the short distance between traffic lights or the slow movement of traffic ahead. Buses, which stuck more or less to the limit, were also slowing down private vehicles.

Only in situations where cars had a free run between two sets of green lights did a true picture of driver behaviour become clear. In most cases where the road was clear with green signals, the majority of cars broke the speeding limit.

The fastest recorded vehicle during the sample period was a garda squad car without its lights or sirens engaged, travelling at around 70kmph.

Recent Dublin City Council motions to either amend or scrap the law failed. It will be reviewed in July.

"The Labour party has acknowledged that most of what they were trying to do in the original vote that imposed this 30kmph across a number of inappropriate streets was wrong," said Tormey.

"No one has any problem with the original areas because in streets that are largely pedestrian, such as in Temple Bar, it's not appropriate to have a higher speed limit. But on the quays it's an entirely different situation."

Inns Quay

Speed Limit (30 or under) 2 (6.6%)

Between 31 and 40 13 (43.3%)

Between 41 and 50 14 (46.6%)

Between 51 and 60 1 (3.3%)

Over 60 0

Average speed 40.6kmph

WineTavern Street

Speed Limit (30 or under) 0

Between 31 and 40 3 (10%)

Between 41 and 50 20 (66.6%)

Between 51 and 60 7 (23.3%)

Over 60 0

Average speed 47kmph

Wood Quay

Speed Limit (30 or under) 0

Between 31 and 40 9 (30%)

Between 41 and 50 16 (53.3%)

Between 51 and 60 5 (16.6%)

Over 60 0

Average speed 44.2kmph

Aston Quay

Speed Limit (30 or under) 0

Between 31 and 40 15 (50%)

Between 41 and 50 10 (33.3%

Between 51 and 60 5 (16.6%)

Over 60 0

Average speed 41.7kmph

Wellington Quay

Speed Limit (30 or under) 3 (10%)

Between 31 and 40 24 (80%)

Between 41 and 50 1 (3.3%)

Between 51 and 60 0

Over 60 2 (6.6%)

Average speed 37.5kmph