The Department of Transport has announced plans for a nationwide audit of speed limits, to ensure that all speed restrictions are both safe and sensible. Speed limit bands are set by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, but specific limits applied on particular roads are determined by the local authorities, in consultation with the Gardaí and in respect of national primary and secondary roads with the National Roads Authority. The Minister’s Department will engage with the National Roads Authority and local authorities to conduct the audit.

The aim of the audit is to begin overhauling the inconsistencies between different counties and regions, and put an end to confusion among drivers. The full process is expected to take some time, but the audit will be a crucial first step. The public have been encouraged to offer their opinions.

Minister Leo Varadkar at a recent ‘sod turning’ said:  “Recent road safety measures like speed cameras and new drink driving laws have gone a long way towards improving road safety. However, we need to ensure that the right speed limits are in operation on the right roads.

“We all know of cases where speed limits are inappropriately low or inappropriately high. I understand that there is some confusion among drivers about the various speed limits which should and do apply, as well as the approach to speed limit signage on national, regional and local roads.

“There are also allegations that local authorities are not consistent in how they decide on the appropriate speed limit, which has also contributed to driver confusion. Last year a new set of guidelines for special speed limits was published. This audit will follow on from that publication.”