Image credit: Irish Government website

iRAP congratulates the Irish Government on the launch of the Slower Speeds, Safer Roads campaign, which will see a reduction in default speed limits on many roads, including a shift from 80km/h to 60km/h on rural roads. This bold step aligns with global best practices in road safety and is expected to deliver significant reductions in fatalities and serious injuries. The decision to prioritize vulnerable road users by reducing speed limits on rural roads is particularly commendable. Research consistently shows a direct correlation between speed and the severity of crashes, especially for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.

Research also shows that reducing speed limits on rural roads can have a transformative impact on safety. iRAP assessments indicate that lowering speeds from 80km/h to 60km/h on undivided roads typically improves iRAP Star Ratings by at least one star, significantly reducing crash risk. This change also leads to substantial reductions in crash costs, benefiting both society and the economy. iRAP data can be used to quantify the economic benefits of safer roads and demonstrate the return on investment in road safety initiatives. iRAP commends Ireland for taking this important step and encourages other nations to prioritize evidence-based road safety interventions.

With speed playing a critical role in determining crash severity, Ireland’s commitment to lower limits will contribute to the United Nations’ goal of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030. This initiative is a welcome example for countries gathering at the upcoming Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Morocco, where policymakers will discuss measures to accelerate progress toward safer roads globally. We look forward to further discussing the impact of speed management and other road safety strategies during the conference.

iRAP remains committed to supporting continued road safety improvements in Ireland and worldwide, ensuring that evidence-based measures save lives.

For more information on the Slower Speeds, Safer Roads campaign click here

For more information on how safer speeds impact road safety outcomes, visit www.irap.org.