New speed limits are coming into force in Ireland from February 7th, 2024, aiming to significantly reduce road fatalities. The changes include a reduction in the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h, with further reductions planned for urban areas and national secondary roads. Strict enforcement measures will be in place, including the use of speed detection equipment, camera vans, and average speed monitoring systems. Drivers caught exceeding the new limits face fines, penalty points, and potential disqualification. The move follows a recent rise in road fatalities and is part of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to achieve Vision Zero - zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050.
Drivers across Ireland are being urged to take note of new speed limits which come into force in just over a week. The move, aimed at improving road safety , will see speed limits reduced significantly on many roads across the country. From Friday, February 7, the default speed limit on rural local roads will drop by 20km/h from 80km/h to 60km/h. This change is aimed at making roads safer for all road users including motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
New road signs reflecting the lower speed limits will replace existing ones, and the meaning of the Rural Speed Limit sign - a white circle with three diagonal black lines - will now indicate a maximum speed of 60km/h instead of 80km/h. Later this year, further reductions will come into force. Speed limits in urban cores, including town centres, built-up areas and housing estates, will be lowered from 50km/h to 30km/h. Meanwhile, national secondary roads will see a reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h. Gardai have warned that strict enforcement measures will be in place to ensure compliance with the changes. Speed limits will be monitored using handheld and vehicle-mounted speed detection equipment, speed camera vans and average speed and static cameras monitoring systems. Drivers caught exceeding the new limits risk fines, penalty points and disqualification from driving. Motorists who break the rules face a fixed charge fine of €160 and three penalty points. If the fine is not paid within 28 days, it will increase to €240. Should payment still not be made within 56 days from the original fine notification date, the driver could be summonsed to court, where they could face a fine of up to €1,000 and up to five penalty points upon conviction. Drivers looking to avoid a court appearance will have the option to pay €320 - twice the original fine - no later than seven days before their scheduled court date. Accumulating 12 penalty points within three years will result in an automatic six-month driving disqualification. The changes are being introduced in response to an increase in road fatalities in recent years. A Government spokesperson said: 'Reducing speed can significantly increase the chance of survival in the event of a traffic collision, and lowering speed limits on Ireland’s road network will save lives.' Between 2006 and 2021, road deaths in Ireland decreased significantly, from 365 in 2006 to 132 in 2021 - marking the country's safest year on record. However, this trend has reversed, with fatalities rising to 180 in 2023. Statistics show that nearly three-quarters (73%) of road deaths between 2020 and 2024 happened on rural roads where the speed limit was 80km/h or higher. Almost half (47%) of serious injuries also took place on these roads. The Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to curb these tragic statistics and ultimately achieve Vision Zero - zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050. Studies have shown that reducing speed limits decreases the likelihood of fatal collisions. The World Health Organisation estimates that a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% drop in fatal crashes. Last week, a transport expert said that the Government could introduce speed control tactics like traffic lights on main roads that flash red for exceeding driving limits. Former AA Ireland director Conor Faughnan said: 'We are likely to get a lot more cameras. Speed cameras, traffic cameras, red light cameras.' It is claimed that one possibility is the adoption of a Portuguese-style speed control system, where traffic lights on main roads turn red if a driver is speeding, forcing them to stop. Public-awareness campaigns will be launched to educate drivers about the new limits and the importance of adhering to them, with gardai urging motorists to familiarise themselves with the updated regulations. For more information on changes in your local area, check with your local authority.
SPEED LIMITS IRELAND ROAD SAFETY TRAFFIC LAWS INFRASTRUCTURE GOVERNMENT POLICY
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