Speed limits to drop across Kildare this year

THE phased introduction of new speed limits will begin in November. The sweeping changes to the county's roads was raised at at the July Meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District and followed a presentation on supplementary speed bye-laws.

Councillors heard that rural and local roads would automatically drop from an 80km/h limit to a 60km/h limit in November, the first phase of a general lowering of speed limits nationwide under the Road Traffic Bill 2024.

Early in the new year, limits on regional roads will default from 100km/h to 80km/h. Built-up and urban areas will see limits dropped to 30km/h from the present 50km/h. Special speed limits for areas such as near schools will be introduced later.

The councillors were told that there would be opportunity for higher speed limits to be requested during a yearly speed limits review, but the assessment process for this will be a “very high bar” and any upward limits would require a "compelling" case.

Welcoming the initiative, cllr Noel Heavey said that for it to be effective will require “detection and control” from the garda, which will need resources. That was echoed by Cllr Rob Power, who said that the gardaí will need to show that the new limits will be enforced.

Cllr Suzanne Doyle said there will have to be investment in technology such as more cameras to make sure motorists abide by the new limits. Saying that changing driver behaviour is the key, she suggested that those who obey limits will continue to do so, but those who habitually break them will also continue to do so.

Responding to a query from cllr Tracey O'Dwyer about signage, officials said this was a national procurement exercise with Transport For Ireland and Kildare County Council have already submitted their order.