Donegal County Council is reminding motorists that speed limits on some rural roads will reduce from 80 kph to 60kph tomorrow.
The move is part of the government’s ‘Slower Speeds, Safer Roads’ campaign.
The first of the changes to speed limits will be on rural, local roads. These roads are named with ‘L’ on maps and as these are mostly rural roads.
The Rural Speed Limit sign – a white circle with five diagonal black lines – with the words “Go Mall, Slow” written underneath will be changed from Friday to signify to motorists that they should drive at a limit of 60km/h.
According to a 2023 Speed Limit Review, commissioned by the Department of Transport, implementing speed limit reductions results in significant safety benefits.
Between 2020 and 2024, almost three in every four road deaths (73%) occurred on a rural road with a speed limit of 80km/h or more.
Nearly half (47%) of all serious injuries during the same time period occurred on these roads.
The speed limit in urban cores such as built-up areas, housing estates and town centres will reduce to 30km/h later this year.
A speed limit reduction on national secondary roads from 100km/h to 80km/h is also expected to take effect later in 2025.
Councillors were informed of the new laws at last week’s meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District (MD) by Area Roads Engineer, Claire McKeever.
“From February 7, on local/rural roads, all speed limits will be reduced from 80 kph to 60kph outside of urban speed limits,” she said.
“Staff are currently busy putting up poles. The new signs are covered, but a big reveal will take place on the night of February 6.”
Cllr Martin Harley, however, welcomed the move. However, he questioned whether or not it would make any difference if not policed.
“We need more roadside cameras. Even during the frost, people think if the windscreen is clear the road should be clear too.”
Ms McKeever said the next phase of the review would look at reducing urban speed limits from 50 kph to 30 kph in the centre of towns and villages.
“This review will go to members (councillors), then it will go to public consultation shortly,” she concluded.
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