Road Speed Limit Changes in Ireland: What You Need to Know

New Speed Limit Regulations Effective from 7th February 2025

The Irish government is implementing significant changes to road speed limits starting from 7th February 2025, in accordance with S.I. No. 618 of 2024, ROAD TRAFFIC (SIGNS) (SPEED LIMITS) REGULATIONS 2024. These changes are part of a broader road safety initiative aimed at reducing accidents and enhancing road user safety.

Key Speed Limit Reductions

To improve road safety, default speed limits will be reduced as follows:

• National secondary roads: Reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h

• Local roads: Reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h

• Built-up areas (urban cores, town centres, and housing estates): Reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h

The first of these changes takes effect on Friday, 7th February 2025, when speed limits on rural local roads will decrease from 80km/h to 60km/h. New road signage will replace existing signs to reflect these updated speed limits.

Later in 2025, the speed limit in urban cores will be lowered to 30km/h, and national secondary roads will see a reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h. The exact date for these additional changes is yet to be confirmed.

New Speed Limit Signs

Image source: FTA Ireland

Additional Road Safety Measures

Beyond speed limit reductions, the new legislation introduces key updates:

• Multiple Penalty Points for Multiple Offences: Drivers who commit multiple penalty point offences at the same time will now receive multiple sets of points, rather than a single penalty.

• Mandatory Drug Testing After Serious Collisions: Drug testing will be required following serious road accidents, similar to existing alcohol testing laws.

• Changes to the Rural Speed Limit Signage: The white circular sign with three diagonal black lines, which currently represents an 80km/h limit, will now indicate a 60km/h limit.

Impact on Drivers and Transport Operators

With these changes, Transpoco urges all drivers, transport managers, and logistics planners to prepare accordingly:

• Driver Awareness: Ensure all drivers are informed of the new speed limits and their implications.

• Route & Load Planning: Logistics and passenger transport operators must adjust journey times and schedules to align with the lower speed limits.

• Penalty Point Monitoring: Transport managers should implement strict monitoring of driver penalty points and maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with the new rules.

Stay Informed and Compliant

These changes reflect the Irish government’s commitment to enhancing road safety through lower speed limits, stricter enforcement, and improved driver accountability. Transport businesses and road users must stay informed and take the necessary steps to comply with the new regulations.

For further updates, visit the official Freight Transport Association Ireland website or the Department of Transport’s speed limit review report published in September 2023.