Councils to be allowed lower speed limits to 20km/h

A new 20km/h speed limit is to be introduced in residential areas after a high-profile campaign by parents who have lost children due to tragic road accidents just yards from their homes.

However, the imminent policy change has still stopped short of a blanket speed limit called for by campaigners, with local authorities instead due to be given the right to allow drivers to go faster, depending on the location of the estate.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed the moves last night on the first session of a two-day Dáil debate on the issue, saying the measure will be included as an option in this summer’s Road Traffic Bill.

Responding to proposed legislation put forward by Sinn Féin on behalf of Kilkenny woman Roseann Brennan, whose six-year-old son Jake died on June 12 after being knocked down outside his home, the Fine Gael TD said he will act on the opposition bill immediately.

The minister said this will involve including an option in the Road Traffic Bill which will allow local authorities the right to lower speed limits in residential areas to 20km/h.

However, while the move has been welcomed by the TDs seeking the legislative change and the families they represent, Mr Donohoe stopped short of putting in place a blanket limit.

He said local authorities need to be able to increase speeds above 20km/h in some built-up residential locations due to their location and the practicalities this involves, and that a pilot scheme will also be needed to fully assess the impact of the measures.

While specifically noting the “wrecking ball of the trauma of serious injury and loss of life” families affected by tragic road accidents face and that an extra €2m will be provided to improve safety measures, the minister said this needs to be balanced with practical realities.

“In cases where residential roads are major traffic thoroughfares it may not be appropriate to designate these as 20 to 30kph zones, not least because it is unlikely that such limits would be observed.

“For reasons such as these, it is my view that it would be more appropriate to allow local authorities the freedom to decide where lower speed limits should apply, rather than imposing mandatory limits. It is important with any legislation to get it right. I therefore believe that the next step should be a pilot scheme which will review the practicalities and implications of providing for a 20km/h speed limit in certain circumstances,” he said.

Mr Donohoe’s move came after the bill was put forward by Sinn Féin TDs Dessie Ellis and Mary Lou McDonald, and after a three-day vigil outside the Dáil by Ms Brennan and others affected by the issue campaigning under the “Jake’s Law” umbrella group.