Speed limits on rural locals roads have decreased from 80km/h to 60km/h, as part of a Government strategy to reduce deaths and injuries on Irish roads.
Thousands of new road speed signs have been erected across the country reflecting the lower limits and the rural speed limit sign - a white circle with five diagonal black lines - will now indicate a maximum speed of 60km/h instead of 80km/h.
The roads where the reductions are coming into force are named with 'L' on maps and are mostly rural roads.
This change is the first phase of a nationwide speed limit overhaul which will see further reductions introduced.
Later this year speed limits will be lowered from 50km/h to 30km/h in urban areas, town centres and housing estates while the speed limit on national secondary roads will also be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h.
The speed limit reductions come in response to rising road fatalities.
According to a 2023 Speed Limit Review, commissioned by the Department of Transport, implementing speed limit reductions results in significant safety benefits.
Between 2020 and 2024, almost three in every four road deaths (73%) occurred on a rural road with a speed limit of 80km/h or more while nearly half (47%) of all serious injuries during the same time period occurred on these roads.
A total of 174 people lost their lives on the country's roads last year. So far this year, there have been 16 road deaths.
The Government’s current road safety strategy focuses on achieving 'Vision Zero’ – zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050.
The speed limit changes follow a number of key recommendations from the Speed Limit Review, which was undertaken by the Department for Transport in 2023. It was part of the last Programme for Government.
It was overseen by the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority and included representatives from An Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and the City and County Management Association.
Gardaí have warned motorists to slow down and be conscious of the new lower rural and urban limits.
Anyone caught driving over the speed limit will receive three penalty points and a fixed charge fine of €160.
If the fine is not paid within 28 days, it increases to €240, and if this increased fine is not paid, a court summons will be issued.
If convicted, you could be fined up to €1,000 and receive up to five penalty points.
An Spidéal locals react to new speed limits
Later this year, speed limits will be lowered from 50km/h to 30km/h in urban areas, town centres and housing estates while the speed limit on national secondary roads will also be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h.
According to a 2023 Speed Limit Review commissioned by the Department of Transport, the implementation of speed limit reductions results in significant safety benefits.
Read more:
Explainer: why are speed limits changing and how will they be enforced?
There is "no point" in reducing speed limits on rural roads, if it does not coincide with investment in maintenance, the Minister of State at the Department of Transport has said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Seán Canney said he believes it is "incumbent" on the Government to ensure roads where there are dangerous sections are "dealt with".
The Independent TD said he and Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien "we will be looking at how funding is being given to local authorities for the restoration programme and for the maintenance of our roads".
In Galway this am, Minister Sean Canney said the new 60km speed limit on local roads is1st step in reducing fatalities. Phase 2 is 50km reduced to 30km in urban areas and 100km to 80km on national secondary roads @rtenews @SeanCanney @GardaTraffic pic.twitter.com/AlmDG3Nnig
— Teresa Mannion (@TeresaMannion) February 7, 2025
He added it is important "we're getting value for money for that investment we're putting in".
In addition to abiding by the reduced speed limits, Mr Canney said drivers need "to drive in control of their car, taking into account the road conditions, the weather conditions and the type of road they're on".
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Transport described speed limit changes as "headline grabbing".
Pa Daly said that while "strong efforts" need to be made to deal with the increasing number of road deaths, these efforts "need to go beyond speed limits".
"A one size fits all approach isn’t necessarily the right way to deal with it," he said.
"By simply reducing the speed limit on all local roads, it makes it look like the Government is actually doing something about it, whereas really, it's not resolving the issue without addressing all of the other factors."
The TD for Kerry added that not all of the signage will be in place, despite the Road Traffic Act having passed through in the early part of last year.
"Enforcement is also something which needs to be dealt with properly, and the low number of gardaí will make it very difficult to enforce," he said.
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The Road Safety Authority has said managing speed was one of the most effective ways to reduce fatalities and serious injuries from road traffic incidents.
"Today's change will help make our rural communities safer for all road users - motorists, people who cycle, and pedestrians alike," Director of Research, Standards and Assurance with the Road Safety Authority Michael Rowland said.
"We are also encouraged by the strong public support for this measure as indicated by our research. The majority of people recognise that rural local roads can be dangerous and are in favour of reducing speed limits to make them safer."
Motoring and transport commentator Conor Faughnan has said without "proper enforcement" we are "to some degree" wasting our time by reducing speed limits.
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Mr Faughnan said it would be "unrealistic" to expect the change to lead to major improvements in road safety.
"I think there's a suite of policies that we're trying to pursue to bring road safety down [correct]."
"Things like enforcement are probably much more important pillars," Mr Faughnan said.
However, he added there is "generally good awareness and hopefully motorists are getting the message".
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