Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
205. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if more average speed zones will be rolled out nationwide; the learnings from existing zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56177/23]
View answerSpeed limits are set through a combination of default speed limits and ‘special' speed limits. 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.
The setting of special speed limits are guided by 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.
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.
An Garda Siochana are responsible for the enforcement of speed limits and do so through the use of cameras, such as GoSafe fixed cameras and variable speed limits cameras, as well as average speed cameras. It is recognised that the use of these technologies brings improvements in relation to adherence of speed limits and road safety. Advancing the wider use of these technologies, as well as other road safety technologies, is a priority and is recognised in both the Road Safety Strategy and the Speed Limit Review , with a number of related actions contained in each.
