Motorists on the M50 in Dublin will soon be encouraged to drive slower to move faster.

New measures to tackle traffic congestion on the motorway will be introduced next year.

The legislation to allow Gardaí to enforce the lower speed limits on the M50 is being planned by the Department of Transport.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland said the variable speed limits between 60 and 80 kilometres an hour would be introduced to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of incidents

Director of Consumer Affairs with the AA Conor Faughnan believes it is an idea worth trying.

He said: "The notion is that you'll apply a variable speed limit in the M50 so the overhead signs will tell you what the speed limit is and that will drop and vary according to traffic conditions.

"What you can achieve with that is that you can get the traffic in the pipe flowing more smoothly, if you like, so it can have a positive effect on congestion."

The Irish Times reports the new system would allow "speed limits to be changed throughout the day" depending on how busy the road is.