Re: National Speed Limit Review and Implementation Phases – Phase 2 of 4
As part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, Our Journey Towards Vision Zero, a dedicated steering group carried out a National Speed Limit Review in 2023.
The review identified four key phases designed to support the Strategy’s goal of reducing deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50%.
Phase 2 of the review focuses on speed limits in built‑up and urban areas. This includes examining the potential reduction of the default limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, where it is considered suitable and justifiable, through the use of Special Speed Limit Bye-laws.
Kerry County Council is currently undertaking this review for all urban and built‑up locations in the county, including towns and villages.
Under the national guidelines, proposals include either a permanent 30 km/h speed limit on roads beside schools within an Urban Core, or a periodic 30 km/h limit for schools located within wider Urban Speed Limit Zones but outside the Urban Core.
For schools in these latter areas, the periodic 30 km/h signs would operate only on school days during opening and closing times, through prior consultation with each school.
Draft Special Bye-law maps will be available for public consultation and submission of observations invited during a Statutory Consultation Period, provisionally scheduled for mid‑June to late July. The Statutory Public Consultation process will be advertised through newspaper publications and social media platforms. The Draft Special bye-law maps will be accessible via Kerry County Council’s website during the Public Consultation phase.
As this Public Consultation window may coincide with the school summer recess, this email serves as advance notice of the upcoming Public Consultation Phase. Submissions from your school community will be welcomed during that period.