Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
241. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the approach he intends to adopt to setting new speed limits; how he will ensure that there is a focus on dangerous speeds, rather than on minor exceedances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47930/23]
View answerSpeed limits are set through a combination of default speed limits and ‘special' speed limits, as defined in the Guidelines for Managing Speed Limits in Ireland. The Guidelines provide advice to local authorities in the setting of speed limits having regard to matters such as road safety and road conditions. Exceptions to the defaults are permitted in the guidelines to aid and empower local decision making and ensure that a given speed limit is aligned with the prevailing conditions of specific sections of the road network.
The Road Traffic Act of 2004, as amended, sets out the current legislative basis for the setting of speed limits. The Act applies ‘default’ speed limits to different classes or categories of road and allows for local authorities to intervene and set ‘special speed limits’, within limitations, on roads in their area. The making of bye-laws to set 'special' speed limits is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority.As part of Action 6 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, a review was undertaken to examine the framework for setting of speed limits in Ireland including specific consideration of the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas. This review is complete and was published in September.
Actions are now underway to legislate for updated default speed limits as recommended by the Review and to revise the Guidelines. Collectively, this will assist local authorities to carry out their own speed limit reviews and pass bye-laws for 'special' speed limits, where appropriate.
