New laws on reduced speed limits must be deferred

Independent TD Carol Nolan has called on the Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien to defer the introduction of new speed limits due to come into effect from Friday, February 7^th.

The proposed changes will see speed limits on rural and local roads decrease from 80km/h to 60km/h. This will be followed by a similar reduction on national secondary roads 100km/h to 80km/h.

“There is a clear sense emerging from the conversations I have had with commercial drivers, farmers, businesses and constituents and that is, while the intention may be well-meaning the practical outcomes arising from the new limits are going to create a host of new problems,” said Deputy Nolan.

“We know from the Government’s own Speed Limit Review and its Modelling Assessment Report that the evidence is, at best, mixed when it comes to the net positive impact of such changes. There is overwhelming evidence as well as common sense backing the view that journey times will increase, that drives will compensate by re-routing and that the knock-on effect for deliveries and the commercial sector will be significant.”

“The Report also quite rightly alerts Government to how challenging the implementation of a blanket approach may be, in particular in terms of compliance and enforcement. Indeed, the Report specifically acknowledges the expert judgement of road safety and enforcement authorities who have concluded that compliance with speed limits, in particular on engineered roads which are designed for higher speeds, may be challenging in terms of public perception and buy-in.”

“In terms of safety several of the greatest threats to motorists and pedestrians are actually from drink or drug driving, the use of phones or the failure to wear a seat belt.”

“I am also concerned about the economic cost as the longer drivers have to spend on the road the less likely they are to travel to and spend time in regions like the midlands and Offaly.”

“It is not all clear to me that Government has engaged properly or has conducted a full impact assessment of the social and economic consequences that will flow from these new limits, and that is why I think it is prudent that be shelved for the time being at least,” concluded Deputy Nolan