The Phoenix Park is a historic landscape of international importance and one of the largest designed landscapes in any European city. The Park represents a unique natural and cultural landscape that is both a historic park and a city park and which provides a setting for a range of activities and amenities.
Following an extensive public consultation process, the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report was published in 2021 with a number of key recommendations, including the reduction of the speed limit from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour.
The lower speed limit was introduced for public safety. There has been a reduction of speeds within the Park with a noticeable change in driver behaviour making the Park a safer place for all visitors. Studies have shown that a reduction in the speed limit to 30 kilometres per hour reduces the risk of fatalities. The 30 kilometres per hour speed limit has been adopted in many other urban areas across Europe including cities in, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, not only for safety reasons, but to reduce noise, air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
An Garda Síochána continues to work with the OPW in relation to all aspects of the management and operation of the Phoenix Park. The OPW continues to liaise with the Department of Transport in respect of any required legislation.
It is important to note that under Section 5(k) of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, dangerous driving (including speed) in any place, not just public, is an offence and, on conviction, a person is liable to a class A fine and/or a term of imprisonment for up to 6 months. If a person is convicted of dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm, they can be fined up to €20,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.
