Jake’s Legacy leads to introduction of new speed limits legislation

The tragic death in 2014 of six-year-old Jake Brennan, who was killed by a car outside his home in a housing estate in Kilkenny has led to the introduction of new legislation which allows local authorities to limit speeds in built-up areas to 20 km/h.

Introducing the legislation, the Minister for Transport,  Paschal Donohoe, said at present, the default speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h. “However, a built-up area can mean a number of things. Some are long, straight roads which have houses on either side and which are significant arteries for traffic,” he said. “Others may be small, winding roads in housing estates where there are children frequently playing near, or even on, the road. Of course, roads in built-up areas can be anything in between. The law recognises these distinctions by allowing local authorities to lower the limit on particular roads in built-up areas under their jurisdiction to 40 km/h or to 30 km/h, according to what is suitable to the circumstances.”

Members, he said, may be familiar with the Jake's Legacy campaign,” he said. “This began in 2014, following the tragic death of six-year-old Jake Brennan, who was killed by a car outside his home in a housing estate in Kilkenny.  The campaign has asked for a mandatory 20 km/h speed limit in built-up areas. While I fully sympathise with the Brennan family over their terrible loss, I believe local authorities are best placed to decide on a 20 km/h limit for all built-up areas and this is what I am introducing today.”

Kilkenny Senator Pat O’Neill said he welcomed the provisions on special speed limits. “It is a testament to young Jake Brennan, the Jake's Legacy campaign, his mother, Roseann, and his family and friends,” he said. “The Minister proved he was caring by meeting Mrs. Brennan and her supporters. The Taoiseach met the family and discussed the matter. This is an important aspect and it shows that the Minister is now putting in place the ability for local authorities to act.”

 Special funding was provided for special signs in Kilkenny, which refer to slow zones instead of ramps, he said. The provision in this regard is very important provision and it is to be hoped that it will involve a great deal of self-regulation because we do not have the number of gardaí required to go into housing estates.

“It is important that the system is self-regulatory,” he said. “If ramps and proper signage are in place, it is important that people observe the speed limit. What has happened in this instance is a testament to what people can do when they get a campaign going. The Jake's Legacy campaign proves this can be done.”

Senator O’Neill said the new Bill also provides for the conviction of drivers if caught under the influence of five drugs.

He said the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, MBRS, sampled and tested 7,776 specimens of blood and urine taken from people involved in accidents over a five-year period from 2007 to 2011. It found that 70% of people involved in accidents had cannabis in their system and 50% had benzodiazepines in their systems. “These statistics are alarming, as is the fact that such people were out driving on the roads,” he said. “Almost 1,500 people a year were involved. This shows that we can make our roads safer if the proper resources are provided.”