Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
2389. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the introduction of a special speed limit zone of 50 km/h outside schools in order to reduce the chances of a road traffic accident involving children; if he has considered such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32446/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Road Traffic Act 2004 sets default speed limits for various categories of roads, elected members of local authorities have statutory responsibility for making Special Speed Limit bye-laws for roads in their area - with, in the case of national roads, the consent of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of elected members.
The Road Traffic Act 2004 establishes default speed limits that apply to defined categories of roads and which can only be changed by county and city councils through the making of special speed limit bye-laws. Section 9 of that Act sets out the range of special speed limits that may be set by local authorities through such bye-laws. To assist local authorities in the application of Special Speed Limits, my Department's Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland provide detailed guidance on the application of Special Speed Limits outside of schools and is available to all local authorities.
Under the Road Traffic Acts, a Special Speed Limit may include a periodic speed limit which can be designed to apply and operate outside schools at specified periods, for example when children are arriving at, or leaving a school during term time.
