The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has received numerous letters from concerned citizens highlighting dangerous driving behaviors and calling for reduced speed limits across Ireland. These complaints come amid a troubling week of multiple road fatalities reported by gardaí.
Many correspondents noted a marked increase in reckless driving since the end of COVID-19 restrictions. One resident described their quiet lane becoming a virtual “racetrack” with vehicles speeding at over 50 km/h near families and pedestrians. Another complained about “boy racers” speeding through town centers and driving on the wrong side of roads, adding that local gardaí seemed indifferent when reports were made.
A particularly concerning message came from a school traffic warden who detailed the dangers posed by bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters speeding through school crossings. “It is impossible to report such crimes because there is no way of identifying these criminals as they do not have a registration number, and my hands are full with a stop sign and using my body to protect children,” the warden wrote.
Other complaints highlighted the absence of safe pedestrian crossings, lack of speed limit signage, and insufficient traffic calming measures in residential areas. One driver reported experiencing three near-miss collisions in a short period due to cars crossing into oncoming lanes around corners.
In response to these concerns, an RSA spokesperson emphasized that managing speed is one of the most effective ways to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries. The organization welcomed the recent introduction of default 60 km/h limits on many rural local roads, noting that 60% of motorists consider rural roads unsafe and support reduced speed limits, according to a November survey.
The growing public outcry reflects mounting frustration with perceived deterioration in driving standards and inadequate enforcement of existing traffic regulations across the country.