2024 legislation must be implemented
Love 30 has sent the following letter to Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, urging him to proceed as soon as possible to instruct Local Authorities to implement the 2024 legislation by means of introducing Bye-Laws implementing the default 30km/h in built-up areas with exceptions to 30 km/h being dealt with by means of Special Speed Limits.
Dear Minister,
I write on behalf of Love 30, the Campaign for 30 km/h speed limits (www.love30.ie).
Firstly, we would like to congratulate you on your appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Transport and to wish you every success in your endeavours to make our roads safer for everyone. We hope your efforts will succeed in reducing the appalling numbers of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and bring us closer to Vision Zero. You will be aware that the 72 road deaths so far this year have included 26 drivers, 20 pedestrians, six passengers, 11 motorcyclists, six pedal cyclists and one pillion passenger. We are particularly alarmed at the shocking numbers of pedestrian fatalities.
Love 30 was very pleased when your predecessor, Minister Jack Chambers, succeeded in introducing legislation to reduce default speed limits on our roads and we are pleased with the implementation to date of 60km/h limits on local rural roads earlier this year. We had anticipated that your Department would proceed without delay to instruct Local Authorities on the implementation of the default 30 km/h in built-up areas, as provided for in Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act 2024. However, we are disappointed with the apparent delay in implementation and are disturbed to hear rumours that your Department may seek to implement the measure by instructing each Local Authority to introduce By-Laws for Special Speed Limits of 30km/h.
Love 30’s interpretation of Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act 2024 is that the default speed limit in built-up areas should be 30 km/h. Implementing 30 km/h in built-up areas by means of special speed limits would not accord with our interpretation of the Act. In our view, Local Authorities may introduce Special Speed Limits in built-up areas that are different from 30 km/h whether that be 20, 40, or 50km/h. There is also the practical issue that the By-Law process would be slow and laborious and demanding of the time of officials who are already stretched.
Wales introduced a 20 mph speed limit on all urban roads on 17 September 2023, with the exception of a small number of urban roads where the local authorities defined a speed limit of 30 mph. This ‘big bang’ approach enabled the Welsh government to run an information campaign to inform all road users of the new speed limits and ensured consistency across the country. In the year up to 17 September 2024 Wales saw a 28% reduction in casualties and fatalities, with associated cost savings, and cheaper car insurance. We believe a similar approach needs to be adopted here in Ireland.
Love 30 urges you to proceed as soon as possible to instruct Local Authorities to implement the 2024 legislation by means of introducing By-Laws implementing the default 30km/h in built-up areas with exceptions to 30 km/h being dealt with by means of Special Speed Limits. This approach worked well in the implementation of 60km/h limits on local roads and we fear that changing the process could not alone lead to extra work and delays but could give rise to widespread flouting of the intent of the legislation.
Love 30 would be very happy to meet with you to discuss this and other road safety issues.
