New Speed Limits in Ireland for 2025: What You Need to Know
On the 7th of February the first of the new speed limits were introduced to Irish roads. Here we break down the new rules and regulations and look further in 2025 to see what more is due to be introduced.
The speed limit on rural local roads will drop from 80Km/h to 60Km/h
Why is this change happening – In Ireland, almost three in four road deaths (73%) in 2020-2024 occurred on a rural road with a speed limit of 80km/h or greater. Almost half (47%) of all serious injuries occurred on these roads.
Later in 2025 the speed limit in urban cores such as housing estates & town centres will drop from 50Km/h to 30Km/h. The speed limit on national secondary roads will also decrease from 100Km/h to 80Km/h.
The new Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien is certainly optimistic. “Today’s speed limit reduction will save lives,” he said. “Driving at a lower speed means that if you get into a collision, either as a driver or a vulnerable road user, death or significant injury is a significantly less likely outcome. It also means you are less likely to be involved in a collision at all.”
What is a rural local road? These make up 82,000 of the state roads and cater for local traffic such as around housing estates, towns, and villages.
Local authorities have received grant funding from the Department of Transport to buy and install poles and signs to display the new speed limit on the relevant roads. The affected roads are designated with an “L” followed by a number, or do not have a number.
How will the new speed limits be enforced?
Drivers who are caught exceeding 60km/h on roads that have changed speed limit will face a fine of €160 and get three penalty points. If you do not pay the fine within 28 days, it increases to €240.
A lot of new cars and vans have Intelligent speed assistance as a key feature that alerts drivers when they are speeding. This technology is expected to help drivers keep within the speed limit by issuing an audible warning or vibrating alert when the driver exceeds the limit or when the speed limit changes. It operates using a front-facing camera that reads speed limit signs. This data can be combined with GPS mapping in the vehicle’s software, enabling the car to know the current speed limits along its route.
At Jensen Fleet we understand keeping your drivers safe on the road is a primary concern for all companies and hope these changes will help to reduce road accidents in 2025.
If you would like to enquire about leasing, and how Jensen Fleet can assist your business please contact us on 01-4605250 or info@jensenfleet.ie
