Drivers are reminded that new default speed limits come into place on all local rural roads from midnight.
The new limit is 60 km/hour, down from the existing 80 km/hour limit. The change was approved by the Dáil last year in legislation (The Road Traffic Act 2024) that will also reduce the speed on national and regional roads, urban streets and housing estates later this year.
The speed limit on motorways remains unchanged at 120km/hour.
The government implemented the legislation after a speed limit review conducted in 2023 and says the measure is necessary to improve road safety. There were 175 fatalities on Irish Roads in 2024.
