Combined call on the Dept. of Transport to recommit to the introduction of a 30 km/h default speed limit in urban areas

The Dublin Commuter Coalition, along with other transport, safety, health and environmental groups, urge the Dept. of Transport to recommit to their original plan of reducing urban speed limits from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. We welcomed the successful implementation earlier this year of 60 km/h default speed limits on local rural roads. But we are shocked that the Dept. have now quietly dropped their plans to take the next step in addressing speed limits in urban areas, where pedestrians and cyclists are at higher risks of collisions with motor vehicles, as recently reported in the Dublin Inquirer, the Irish Independent, and confirmed by Parliamentary Questions earlier this month. 

The programme for government, agreed by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and independent TDs includes a clear commitment to “Support the implementation of Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, increase public awareness and crack down on dangerous driving.” This Road Safety Strategy includes “a specific consideration of the introduction of a 30 km/h default speed limit in urban areas." The 2024 Road Traffic Act, already includes a change of default speed limit in built up areas from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. We see no legal impediment to this being implemented immediately. Therefore this u-turn is a clear indication of the Government’s lack of support for making Irish roads safer, reducing road deaths/injuries and is contrary to the existing legislation which was signed into law only one year ago.

Reducing speed limits to 30 km/h in urban areas is a clear evidence based solution to reducing road accidents. Studies from cities all over Europe demonstrate this - a Transport for London report spanning 20 years showed

• Total collisions fell by 35%

• All casualties fell by 36%

• Fatal or serious injuries fell by 34%

• Child casualties dropped by 46%, and children killed by 75%

• Among people walking, cycling, or riding motorcycles, killed or seriously injured (KSI) figures were reduced by 28%

Similar results of major reductions in road collisions and deaths have been seen in Paris, Brussels, Helsinki, Luxembourg, and more. Other benefits besides saving lives, include reduced traffic, reduced noise pollution, and increases in younger and older people cycling due to the increased safety. Just as Ireland led the world in introducing a national smoking ban indoors to improve health and safety, we can lead the world in seriously addressing road safety, but only if we take serious action and reduce speed limits. If the smoking ban had been an “opt-in” policy as the Department of Transport is now proposing for the reduction in speed limits, it would never have worked and the message would have been clear from the government - we’re not serious about change. 

Therefore, it's worrying that the government plans to deflect the decision on speed limit changes to local councils. This not only signals a clear lack of political will to implement a much-needed reform, but it also undermines the effectiveness of the change itself. Lengthy political debates and statutory public consultations over every single road in the country, will bring us nowhere and essentially make the recent legislation changes obsolete. A 30 km/h speed limit should apply to the vast majority of urban roads, with minimal exceptions. For it to work, it must be applied consistently and nationwide. Leaving it up to individual councils will result in an inefficient patchwork approach, and likely the opposite outcome of what is needed.

Statement from Irish Doctors for the Environment (IDE)

“Ireland’s dysfunctional, car-centric transport system remains a source of harm to human health. We urge the Irish government to show ambition and take decisive action. Introducing a default 30 km/h speed limit in urban areas is a long-overdue, obvious, and tangible step toward safer roads, particularly for vulnerable road users.

If the current government decides to not introduce a default 30 km/h speed limit in urban areas, it cannot credibly claim to prioritise road safety, or human health. Reducing speed limits will save lives. It will prevent life-changing injuries and make our streets safer. It is a vital step toward making transport a source of health and wellbeing in Ireland.”

Statement from the Wexford Bicycle Users Group (WexBUG)

"WexBUG is disappointed that the government has failed to deliver on its promise for safer speed limits in our built up areas. Not far from us in Wales, a similar speed reduction resulted in 100 fewer deaths or serious injuries in a 12-month period. Why are the government prioritising the speed of motorists over the safety of children and other vulnerable road users in our towns and villages?"

Statement from Climate and Health Alliance Secretariat; Mark Murphy.

“Reducing the default speed limit to 30km/h in urban areas is absolutely vital if we want to encourage more people, particularly children, to walk, wheel, scoot, and cycle. A default 30km/h speed limit in urban areas would create safer roads and facilitate greater uptake of active travel such as walking and cycling, thereby boosting physical activity levels. This would be a win-win for human and planetary health.” 

Statement from Dublin Commuter Coalition Chairperson; Jason Cullen

“The ‘Vision Zero’ strategy for road safety has failed to meet any milestones set within it thus far despite an investment of €3.8b and road deaths for pedestrians & cyclists are already higher this year than at the same point in 2024. If the Irish Government are serious about their commitments, then they need to start prioritising and implementing the evidence based policies that are known to improve safety for all users on our roads.”

Signature Groups:

• Dublin Commuter Coalition

• Galway Commuter Coalition

• Dublin Cycling Campaign

• Irish Doctors for the Environment

• Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice

• Climate & Health Alliance

• I BIKE Dublin

• Wexford Bicycle Users Group

• Love 30

• Irish Cycling Campaign

• Cycling Without Age