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On 7 February, speed limits on rural local roads reduce from 80km/h to 60 km/h

This change will make Ireland’s roads safer for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users.

Reducing speed can significantly increase the chance of survival in the event of a traffic collision, and lowering speed limits on Ireland’s road network will save lives.

For more information on changes in your local area, check with your local authority.

Government Strategy Aims for Safer Roads

The Irish Government is implementing a series of speed limit reductions in 2025 as part of its Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The initiative aims to enhance road safety by reducing fatalities and serious injuries, with the long-term goal of achieving Vision Zero—eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 2050.

While significant progress was made in reducing road fatalities between 2006 and 2021, recent years have seen an increase in deaths and serious injuries. The number of fatalities dropped from 365 in 2006 to a record low of 132 in 2021. However, subsequent years saw an alarming rise, with 180 fatalities recorded in 2023—an increase of 36%. While early reports suggest a slight decline in 2024, the upward trend has raised concerns about meeting the Government’s road safety targets.

Each road fatality represents a personal tragedy for families, friends, and communities, while serious injuries can have lifelong consequences. In response, the Government is introducing lower and more consistent speed limits across the country.

Upcoming Changes to Speed Limits

The first phase of speed limit reductions will take effect on Friday, 7th February 2025, when the default speed limit on rural local roads will decrease from 80km/h to 60km/h. Existing speed limit signs will be replaced to reflect this change, and the meaning of the Rural Speed Limit sign (a white circle with three diagonal black lines) will also change accordingly.

Later in 2025, additional reductions will be introduced:

  • The speed limit in urban cores (built-up areas, housing estates, and town centres) will be reduced to 30km/h.
  • The speed limit on national secondary roads will drop from 100km/h to 80km/h.

The changes align with international best practices and aim to improve road safety by ensuring speed limits are appropriate for the conditions and road users.

Speed Limit Review and Legislative Changes

The Speed Limit Review 2023 was carried out as part of the Government’s commitment to improving road safety. Overseen by a working group co-chaired by the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the review included input from An Garda Síochána, the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and the City & County Management Association (CCMA).

Research and international comparisons informed the recommendations, which have now been incorporated into the Road Traffic Act 2024, providing the legal basis for the upcoming speed limit changes.

For more information, visit gov.ie – Speed Limit Review.

The Safe Systems Approach to Road Safety

The Government’s road safety strategy follows the Safe System approach, which aims to minimise the likelihood of collisions and reduce the severity of those that do occur. Central to this approach is Safe Speeds, ensuring speed limits match road conditions to protect all road users, particularly vulnerable groups such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Scientific research has shown that:

  • Pedestrians and cyclists have a significantly higher chance of survival in collisions at speeds of 30km/h or lower.
  • Modern cars can protect occupants up to 50km/h in side collisions and up to 70km/h in head-on collisions.
  • The risk of fatal or serious injury increases sharply in collisions at higher speeds.

Collision Data Supports Speed Limit Reductions

Statistics from 2020 to 2024 highlight the dangers of high-speed roads:

  • 73% of road deaths occurred on rural roads where the speed limit was 80km/h or higher.
  • 47% of serious injuries were also recorded on these roads.

These figures underline the need for lower speed limits, particularly on rural roads where the majority of fatalities occur.

The upcoming speed limit reductions aim to create a safer road network for all users, preventing future tragedies and moving Ireland closer to its goal of Vision Zero.