Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024
93. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation of the legislation required for speed limit reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22021/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 2023. Speed 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. 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 Guidelines provide advice to local authorities in the setting of special speed limits having regard to matters such as road safety and road conditions. 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. This Act has been amended through the Road Traffic Act 2024 to address priority actions relating to the Default Speed Limits for National Secondary Roads (from 100km/h to 80km/h), Rural Local Roads (from 80km/h to 60km/h) and Built Up Areas (from 50km/h to 30km/h). Since the completion of the Speed Limit Review an Implementation Group and Guidelines Subgroup have been formed and have developed an initial implementation plan and amendments to the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland. The amended guidelines will be published in the coming weeks, along with the holding of information seminars with local authorities planning the implementation of the new default speed limits on a phased basis. Collectively, this will support local authorities to carry out their own speed limit reviews and pass bye-laws for 'special' speed limits, where appropriate.
