Road Traffic Bill will see speed limits across major Irish roads reduced

The Road Traffic Bill 2024, which progressed through the Dáil last month, was passed this Thursday by Seanad Éireann, and will now be forwarded to the President for signing.

The Bill addresses three key matters in road safety. It ensures that people who commit multiple penalty points on the same occasion will receive multiple sets of points. It will also introduce mandatory drug testing following serious collisions, as is already the case for alcohol.

On top of that, the Bill will legislate for safer default speed limits in line with the Department’s speed limit review published in September 2023.  Default speed limits will be lowered on national secondary roads, from 100km/h to 80km/h; on local roads, from 80km/h to 60 km/h; and on roads in  built-up areas from 50km/h to 30km/h.

The Bill also includes a number of technical amendments and addresses some recently identified anomalies within roads legislation.

Speaking this Thursday, Minister  of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Jack Chambers TD, said: "I am very pleased to see this Bill passed and I would like to thank both Houses of the Oireachtas for assisting in the swift passage of this essential and lifesaving legislation. We have witnessed a very disturbing upward trend in road deaths in the last few years, which is continuing into this year.  

This new legislation seeks to bring systemic improvements to road safety including reductions in speed limits, reform of penalty points, and mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions. This is a key part of this Government’s strategy to reverse the trend of rising fatalities and help make our roads safer for all users."

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, added: "Too many families have experienced the loss of a family member on our roads, and it is important that we respond in a robust manner. Safer speeds, increased penalties and mandatory drug testing send a clear signal and will encourage safer driving behaviours."

The Department will now be working with stakeholders to implement the changes as rapidly as possible.