Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
64. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport when the review which led to the recently announced reduction in speed limits was initially commenced; to outline the research and engagement with third parties which was undertaken during this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44224/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Speed Limit Review is a key deliverable in the Phase 1 Action Plan for the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030. The Review, which was published in September, considered Irish evidence and experience to date, best practice internationally and extensive transport modelling scenarios.
A Working Group was established to oversee the Review in early 2022. The Group was co-chaired by the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority, and further comprised representatives from the Department of Transport, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority and the City & County Management Association.
The aim of the Review was to consider current policy priorities while addressing the fragmentation and inconsistency of speed limits on roads all over the country. The Review's recommendations seek to address this inconsistency, optimising the road network and increasing road safety.
Key proposals include:
• Default speed limit on national secondary roads to reduce from 100km/h to 80km/h,
• Default speed limit for the network of local and rural roads throughout the country to reduce from 80km/h to 60km/h,
• Default speed limit on urban roads, which include built up areas as well as housing estates and town centres, to reduce to 30km/h.
An implementation task force, led by the Department of Transport, is being established to oversee the delivery of the Review’s recommendations.
The Review is evidence-based and reflects best practice. In that regard, the modelling report was peer reviewed by Trinity College Dublin and the main review report was peer reviewed by road safety experts from Sweden. This Review builds upon the public consultation on the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 and also included engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, allowing the Review to hear and consider a variety of different perspectives.
