Speed limits on many rural local roads set to be reduced

The speed limit on many rural local roads will change from 80 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour, tomorrow Friday, 7th February.

In April 2024, the Road Traffic Act 2024 was signed into law and included provisions to amend the default speed limits on rural, local roads, urban roads and national secondary roads.

The change in default speed limits for rural local roads, from 80km/h to 60km/h, will be implemented first, starting tomorrow Friday.

Local authorities have received grants to change speed limit signs from ‘80’ to ‘60’ on relevant local roads. These will be in place on Friday, so road users can see clearly which limit applies.

The striped ‘rural speed limit sign’, which is used as an alternative to numeric speed limit signs on specific single lane rural roads, will also now mean that a maximum 60km/h limit is in force.

As with all speed limits, it will be an offence to exceed the stated limit and enforcement will be a matter for An Garda Síochána.

The Department of Transport has been working with An Garda Síochána to ensure they are ready to implement the new limit.