New speed limits on rural Mayo roads come into effect amid enforcement concerns

Starting tomorrow, the default speed limit on rural local roads in Ireland will decrease from 80 km/h to 60 km/h, following the implementation of the Road Traffic Act 2024.

The change is part of the government's Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, which aims to cut road fatalities and serious injuries by 50% by 2030.

While the measure has been welcomed as a step towards improving road safety, concerns have been raised regarding its enforcement.

Aontú TD for Mayo, Paul Lawless, has stated that reducing speed limits alone will not suffice without a corresponding increase in enforcement measures.

He highlighted the significant reduction in the number of Garda Traffic Corps officers, which has dropped from 1,040 in 2009 to just over 600 at present, raising concerns about the impact on road safety.

“The number of Garda Traffic Corps officers has been decimated in recent years, almost halving from 1,040 in 2009 to just over 600 at present; that has and will continue to have a huge impact on road safety despite any change to speed limits," Deputy Lawless stated.

“We have asked the government to release the information they have used to analyse the safety element of their decision, as changing speed limits without enforcement will simply not have the desired effect.

“Indeed, on straight rural roads, there is a concern that slowing traffic without policing in place will simply encourage the tens of thousands of drivers commuting to work to overtake more often.

“Ministers need to consider a raft of interconnected measures to address speeding and road safety, but policing is crucial, and any measures omitting a policing approach will simply fail—the best thing they can do for road safety is to rapidly invest in the recruitment of Gardaí.”

The Department of Transport has indicated that enforcement of the new speed limits will be the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. However, concerns remain about the current capacity for enforcement given the reduced number of traffic officers.

As the new speed limits come into effect, the government plans to launch the 'Slower Speeds, Safer Roads' awareness campaign to inform the public about the changes. Local authorities, including Mayo County Council, have received grants to update speed limit signs accordingly.