Almost half of drivers (46% ) believe that the speed limits on Irish roads are ‘all over the place’ and need to be overhauled as a review of speed limits has been announced by Government.
However, 17% of drivers say that they only need updating on our regional roads, with 8% disagreeing as they believe that it is the speed limits on the national roads that require updating. Some 29% of drivers think that the speed limits are pretty much just right for the most part. These are the key findings from new research conducted by iReach Insights of 1,000 people nationwide on behalf of Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva ).
The Aviva survey found that:
Those in the older aged cohorts think that the speed limits on Irish roads need to be overhauled with 54% of those aged 45-54 and 46% of those aged over 55 compared to 36% of those aged between 25-34.
More men (32% ) than woman at 28% and those aged 18-24 (56% ) think that the speed limits are just right for the most part.
Some 29% of those aged 25-34 are of the view that they need updating but only on regional roads, while 13% of 35-44-year-olds think that regional roads are fine, but the speed limits need updating on national roads.
“The appalling increase in fatalities on our roads this year has resulted in 129 people who have lost their lives to date, 25 more than for the same period last year. The Minister for State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers recently announced that a review will go to Government shortly recommending the lowering of speed limits on some roads. The urgent need for this review is clear given the findings of the survey where 46% of drivers believe that they need an overhaul. The proposal includes lowering the speed limits on national secondary roads, rural roads and within town, cities, and residential areas.
“There is also a need to educate drivers that the speed limit on any given road is not an actual target and that consideration must also be given to the pertaining weather conditions, and factors such as other driver behaviours, driver fatigue, distractions, wearing of seat belts," commenting Alan Behan, Motor Product Manager at Aviva, said.
The Aviva survey further sought respondents’ views as to their satisfaction with speed limits on the various Irish roads and which were either too slow, too fast, or just right. Those drivers who believe that the current speed limits are too fast included 19% who attributed this to regional and local roads, 17% to those in towns and cities and special speed limits, 10% on motorways and 6% on national roads. However, of those drivers who selected the option that the current speed limits are too slow, with 20% of those surveyed saying they were too slow on motorways, 19% referring to national roads, 13% to regional and local roads, 9% on the special speed limits and 7% to those limits in towns and cities.
The highest percentages of those who believe that the speed limits are too fast in towns and cities, on regional and local roads and in special speed limit areas were in the age cohorts 45-54 and 55+.
The majority of those aged 18-24 believe that the speed limits in towns and cities, on regional and local roads and in special speed limit areas are just right.
A higher percentage of those aged 25-34 believed the speed limits across the board on Irish roads are too slow.
“While there are many factors that contribute to motor accidents on our roads, speeding is one of the major causes and one that unfortunately can result in more fatalities where younger, less experienced drivers are involved. Those driving at high speeds have less time to react if something untoward happens and it takes longer to stop or slow down, resulting in a greater likelihood of serious injury or death. We have all heard the horrific statistics on road fatalities on Irish roads this year, with approximately one third of whom sadly were young people under 25. In addition, over 649* people have been seriously injured as of 23 July 2023 on our roads, many of whom have life-changing injuries. It is clear that a range of measures need to be introduced, including the reduction of certain speed limits, to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents on our roads,” Mr Behan concluded.
