Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 4

Written Answers. - Road Safety.

Jack Wall

Question:

345 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to provide a national speed limit for country roads other than regional or national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23117/01]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

The Government road safety strategy, 1998-2002, indicated that changes to speed limit regimes, which were comprehensively reviewed some years ago, were not proposed in the immediate term. The strategy indicated that a much higher level of compliance with existing speed limits should be the priority. However, the option of revising speed limits downwards is not ruled out if enforcement of existing limits does not show progress towards the strategic goal of reducing the present excessive levels of speeding. I intend that the situation will continue to be monitored in line with this approach.

The general speed limit of 60 mph normally applies to all roads outside built up areas, with the exception of motorways. However, a local authority may apply special speed limits, such as 50 mph or 40 mph, or extend the application of the built up area speed limit, 30 mph, to any road in its functional area by making by-laws, following consultation with the Garda Commissioner and with the consent of the National Roads Authority in the case of national roads. Irrespective of the particular speed limit applying, there is a general obligation that a vehicle shall not be driven at a speed exceeding that which will enable its driver to bring it to a halt within the distance which the driver can see to be clear.