Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
210. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the speed limit reviews being carried out by local authorities are paused pending instructions from his Department, which is delaying the implementation of safety measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47387/23]
View answerIn response to the alarming rise in road deaths this year, I have announced a new Road Traffic Measures Bill 2023. This will be a focused Bill addressing key issues, which I aim to see passed as soon as possible. This Bill will address speed limits, penalty points, and testing of drivers for drugs.
In the case of speed limits, it will implement crucial recommendations of the recent speed limit review completed by my Department to reduce certain default speed limits. The default limit on national secondary roads will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h, that on local roads will come down from 80km/h to 60km/h and that on roads in built-up areas will be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h. As I am sure the Deputy knows, reducing speed not only reduces the risk of collisions, but also reduces the risk that collisions, when they happen, will lead to death or serious injury.
In addition to the Bill, my Department has commenced work on updating the Guidelines for Managing Speed Limit in Ireland. The update will seek to address matters relating to the Default Speed Limits in support of the Bill.
Although transition arrangements will be required, work currently underway in relation to ongoing local authority reviews should continue where possible and where such proposals are consistent with the recommendations of the review. In that regard, the Review Group and my Department will liaise with local authorities as to those transition arrangements.
