Speed limits on many roads are set to be reduced under plans being developed by Government.
It follows the recent rise in road fatalities after twice the number of people lost their lives on Irish roads last month compared to August 2022.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers is working on a review that will soon go to Government, which he believes will make a significant difference to lowering baseline speed limits.
It would see speed capped at 80km/h on national secondary roads where the limit currently stands at 100km/h.
The limit on local and rural roads would drop from 80km/h to 60km/h.
Within towns, cities and residential areas there would be a limit of 30km/h, while roads on the fringes of urban areas could be capped at 50km/h.
The changes are part of an effort by Minister Chambers to address inconsistencies in speed limits across the country.
'This is about setting a better, safer baseline and then revising limits upwards where it's safe to do so,' Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers said as speed limits are reviewed | Read more: https://t.co/gW9bG2aglh pic.twitter.com/tr29Wdjovj
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 6, 2023
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Chambers said the inconsistency and fragmentation of speed limits across the road network needs to end.
He said that 75% of fatalities take place on rural roads and the baseline speed limit on those roads should be lowered and speed limits in urban and built-up areas should also drop.
The minister acknowledged that it will take significant time for local authorities to lower the limits, and said that in the meantime, there will be an immediate response through a comprehensive strengthening of enforcement on the roads.
"That's something that is happening. A 20% increase in the GoSafe hours. 1,500 extra hours of GoSafe vans on our road and strengthened visibility", he said.'
Local authorities will be given detailed guidance on the new framework, he said, and it should be implemented throughout 2024 and into 2025.
"This is about setting a better, safer baseline and then revising limits upwards, where it's safe to do so, rather than the present system, which is specialist speed limits being brought backwards from a higher baseline."
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Speaking on the same programme, the Head of Communications at AA Ireland broadly welcomed the speed limit plans.
Blake Boland said it is very difficult to argue with any proposals that will help reduce road deaths.
However, he said there are some concerns about the implementation of the proposals.
"Some of the speed limits that we see on the roads don't seem appropriate and sometimes we see speed vans at places that could perhaps be better employed elsewhere.
"So we really need to make sure that what comes through in terms of the legislation is really focused on reducing fatalities and serious injuries," he said.
Mr Boland said enforcement is key and the relevant agencies need to have enough resources.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) also welcomed the planned changes.
In a statement, RSA CEO Sam Waide said: "This review can contribute significantly to making Irish roads safer and bring down road deaths."
"We know that speeding is a killer behaviour when it comes to road safety," the statement added. "The World Health Organisation has estimated that a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% reduction in fatal collisions."
Reducing speed 'not the only answer'
The Chief Executive of Irish Rural Link has welcomed proposals to reduce speed limits on Irish roads.
However, Seamus Boland warned that more needs to be done and said reducing speed limits is "not the only answer".
Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne, he said: "My strong argument is that we need to do an awful lot more.
"There are some roads where the 80 mile, even if it's 60, is simply inappropriate. It doesn't really describe the danger of the road ahead, or in some cases it makes it look ridiculous."
He said that roads should be categorised clearly in terms of danger.
Mr Boland said there should be some way of warning motorists when they are on dangerous roads with turns and twists "on a continual basis".
Last night, Minister Chambers and Minister for Justice Helen McEntee met to discuss road safety issues.
In a statement afterwards, both ministers stated that stronger policy and increased enforcement can help reduce road deaths following recent worrying trends.
