Local authorities are being asked to implement 30 km/h speed limits on roads in built-up and urban areas by the end of March 2027, writes Brian Byrne. This follows a directive from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien to councils to review existing speed limits in such areas.
The instruction aligns with Action 5 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy Phase 2 Action Plan for 2025 to 2027, published in July this year. It supports the overall aim of the Road Safety Strategy to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Ireland's roads by 50 per cent by 2030.
Local authorities will make speed limit changes by adopting special speed limit bylaws rather than by changing default limits. Making bye-laws is a reserved function of local authorities.
This means that each local authority will hold a statutory public consultation, allowing residents to actively participate in decision-making.
