In a bid to enhance road safety and combat a concerning surge in road fatalities, Ireland is gearing up for significant changes to its speed limits. The alterations, set to take effect soon, will see speed limits reduced across various types of roads.
On national secondary roads, the current speed limit of 100 km/h will be lowered to 80 km/h. Meanwhile, rural and local roads will see an even more substantial reduction from 80 km/h to 60 km/h. In residential areas, towns, and cities, the speed limit will be cut dramatically to just 30 km/h. It’s essential to note that these changes won’t apply to motorways or primary roads like the N7.
Junior Transport Minister, Jack Chambers, emphasized the necessity of these adjustments due to a worrying increase in road fatalities, with 127 lives lost this year alone. Minister Chambers stated, “We’ve seen a shocking rise in fatalities and a really worrying trend with an increase [in road deaths] in three of the last four years. As a minister, I want to bring initiative and a comprehensive response.”
These changes, though radical, aim to make Ireland’s roads safer for all and curb the devastating toll of road accidents.