Dublin City Council is preparing to reduce the speed limit to 30km/h on nearly all roads throughout the city in a major traffic safety initiative.
While many areas, including residential zones, already operate under this restriction, numerous roads with higher speed limits will soon be subject to the new measure. The council is set to launch a public consultation process to gather feedback on the proposed changes before implementation.
The move has received strong support from health professionals who point to compelling safety data. Dr Caoimhe Clarke, a member of Irish Doctors for the Environment, said reducing speeds could dramatically cut road fatalities across the capital.
“While the risk of death from a car travelling at 50km/h is 40 percent, the risk of death from a car travelling at 30km/h is 13 percent,” Dr Clarke explained. “This is a big difference.”
The statistics highlight the potentially life-saving impact of lower speed limits, with pedestrians and cyclists standing to benefit most from the reduced risk of serious injury or death in collisions.
The proposed speed reduction aligns with similar initiatives in cities across Europe, where 30km/h zones have become increasingly common in urban areas as part of efforts to improve road safety and create more pedestrian-friendly environments.
Details of the public consultation, including how residents and stakeholders can submit their views, are expected to be announced by Dublin City Council in the coming weeks.