Dublin: Dublin City Council is reverting to its phased approach to lowering speed limits after the government abandoned plans for a nationwide default 30km/h limit in urban areas. The Department of Transport informed councils in June that it would not proceed with the default limit, despite legislation enabling it.
Long Timeline Ahead
Council officials outlined a detailed process that is expected to reach councillors for approval by October 2026, with full implementation targeted for March 2027. Until then, Dublin’s default speed limit remains 50km/h.
The council will assess all roads currently at 50km/h or above to determine suitability for lower limits, considering land use, nearby schools, businesses, and residential zones. Potential reductions to 30km/h or 20km/h (on semi-pedestrianised streets) will be included in draft bye-laws.
The process will involve multiple stages of public consultation, committee reviews, a full council vote, and eventual installation of new signage.
Why the Change?
The previous government had committed to lower national limits and passed the Road Traffic Act 2024 to support this. A new default 30km/h limit for urban areas was due by mid-2025. However, the incoming administration argued that the term “urban area” lacked a legal definition and required further legislation.
As a result, local authorities must now implement changes through special speed limit bye-laws, returning to the slower, street-by-street approach used for years.
Safety at the Core
Research shows a stark contrast in pedestrian safety:
- A collision at 50km/h carries a 30% fatality risk.
- At 30km/h, the risk drops to 5%.
Despite long-term declines in road deaths, fatalities have risen again in recent years, prompting renewed calls from experts and councillors for faster action.
Public Support and Past Setbacks
Some councillors questioned why extensive public consultation is needed for what is fundamentally a road safety measure. Council officials said the extra steps are essential to avoid a repeat of 2020, when last-minute political amendments caused bye-laws to collapse entirely and forced the process to restart.
The council aims to propose widely supported changes to avoid similar delays this time.
Irish Samachar English News
Kindly click to join WhatsApp group chat to get important news and breaking news from Irish Samachar