Mayo councillor says speed limit review is 'absolutely ridiculous'

The national speed limit review, which would see some speed limits reduced by 20km/h, is a knee-jerk reaction and lacks common sense, according to Mayo councillors.

Members of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District made their comments after a presentation from Mayo County Council's Head of Road Paul Dolan who said he believes the new legislation will be passed in the first quarter of 2024. Mr Dolan said he has deferred Mayo's own review until then.

The senior official told councillors the default speed limit on a national/secondary road will reduce from 100km/h to 80km/h, local/regional roads will drop from 80km/h to 60km/h, while the default speed limit in urban roads, which includes built-up areas, housing estates and town centres, will be reduced to 30km/h. Arterial roads and radial routes will remain at 50km/h, and motorways will still be 120km/h.

“National/primary roads and regional roads will stay the same, at 100km/h and 80km/h. There can be variations if roads are deemed to be safe by the local authority, so there is an assessment that can be done,” Mr Dolan said. “If we are spending substantial sums of money to make national/secondary roads safer, then to reduce the speed limits on those roads is hard to understand to be honest.” 

He said driver behaviour has a big part to play in the large number of fatalities on Irish roads in 2023.

Cllr Paul McNamara said the proposed changes are “absolutely ridiculous”.

“I’m totally against speed, but I don’t think the drastic decisions that are being made are going to stop the fatalities we’re having on the roads, especially when we don’t see gardaí,” he said. “I travel the N59 every single day and I won’t meet any Garda car. I know where the speed van’s going to be parked, it’s ridiculous what we’re facing.” 

Cllr Gerry Coyle said every child should learn how to drive before they leave school and they should get a points boost in their Leaving Certificate for driving competence.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy agreed saying the Green Schools Programme is a perfect example of good coming from education, adding that driving needs to be put on the school curriculum. Cllr John O’Malley said the new speed limits will cause more accidents as drivers will become frustrated.

Cllr Peter Flynn said Sligo Co Council is still going ahead with its speed limit review and implored Mr Dolan to "get moving" in Mayo.

Mr Dolan said the council had started work on the review last September, but it was suspended due to staffing issues. He hopes it will begin again at the start of 2024.