New Speed Limits - km/h replacing mph

The Road Traffic Act, 2004 has been signed into law by President McAleese.  The Act provides for significant changes to speed limits on Irish public roads, including the application of metric values to speed limits.  The changeover will be effective from 20^th January 2005 - two weeks time. 

From 20th of January Speed Limits will be in kph not mph

The Roads Traffic Act, 2004, which has now become law, provides for the changeover to metric speed limits on Irish roads.  The Act also makes some significant changes to the speed limits on some categories of Irish roads, the most significant being the lowering of the speed limit on regional and local roads outside of built-up areas from 60mph to 80 km/h (equivalent to 50mph).

The New Speed Limits

A dedicated website – www.gometric.ie – is now available where the public can get further information on the changeover to metric speed limits.  Details of a mass public awareness campaign to educate all road users about the change will be announced shortly.  This campaign has started and includes TV, radio, press, outdoor advertising and the provision of an information leaflet to every home and business in the country.  Through this mass awareness campaign, the intention is that every road user in the country will be provided with sufficient information to enable them to adapt easily and confidently to the changes on20th January.

The changeover to metric speed limits will help to improve road safety - especially the lower speed limit on non-national routes which has long been called for. The number of signs is to be increased to help drivers' awareness of the speed limit on the current stretch of road. In the final analysis the responsibility to know and keep within the speed limit is the driver's responsibility.