Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar has announced plans for a nationwide audit of speed limits to ensure that all speed restrictions are both safe and sensible.
The Minister’s Department will shortly engage with the National Roads Authority and local authorities to conduct a nationwide audit of speed limits across Ireland.
Speed limit bands are set by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. However, specific limits applied on particular roads are determined by the local authorities, in consultation with the Gardaí, and in respect of national primary and secondary roads with the National Roads Authority.
The aim of the audit is to start overhauling the inconsistencies between different counties and regions, and put an end to confusion among drivers. Although the process is expected to take some time, the audit will be a crucial first step.
Fine Gael TD for Mayo, John O’Mahony, has welcomed plans for a nationwide audit of speed limits. “As things stand there is no rhyme or reason to the setting of speed limits,” he said. “For example, the same speed limit of 100km per hour can apply on sections of motorway as on rural roads which have sharp bends and blind corners.
“We all know of cases where speed limits are inappropriately low or inappropriately high. I understand that there is some confusion among drivers about the various speed limits which should and do apply, as well as the approach to speed limit signage on national, regional, and local roads.
“I am glad that Minister Varadkar has also encouraged members of the public to highlight their concerns with their own local authority, as I am aware that the speed limit system has long been a cause of frustration for drivers across the country.”
