THE DEPARTMENT OF Transport is to release new guidelines on speed limits, that will see sweeping changes to how country roads and urban areas are governed.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Transport Minister Pascal Donohoe said that

The changes will see new signage on country roads and within housing estates within the next two years.

It will include the provision of “slow zones” in housing estates and reviews of speed limits every five years.

The changes for country roads will be:

• On roads that are narrower than seven metres, the speed limit will be 80km/hr
• On roads wider than seven metres, it will be 100km/hr
• These will be signposted as normal, but will be consistent
• Local authorities will be allowed put a white circle road sign on roads to tell people they should go slower than the 80km/hr limit

Donohoe says that these changes are not intended to allow people choose the speed limit, adding that he felt people should use their judgement.

He said that rural roads with high speed limits will all be reviewed within the next two years.

In terms of urban slow zones, Donohoe said:

• The 30km/hr limit in built up areas is “appropriate”
• A new sign warning drivers to slow down will be introduced
• A speed limit of 20km/hr will be an option for local authorities to implement

He said that he believes it is better for local authorities to decide the limit in the areas they govern, which is why he didn’t introduce a blanket 20km/hr limit as had been campaigned for.

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