Speed limits in Ireland are clearly at the top of many people's minds right now, especially given that the Government, the Gardai, and the Road Safety Authority are so keen to pin the blame for the recent rise in deaths on our roads on speeding.
Nuances within the survey
A survey of 1,000 Irish drivers by insurers Aviva Ireland seems to show that many people are in lockstep with the authorities, and believe that speed limits do need to be overhauled, but there are nuances that are worth exploring.
While getting on for half of all drivers (46 per cent) say that the speed limits on Irish roads are 'all over the place' and need to be overhauled, 17 per cent say that it's only regional road limits that need updating, while 29 per cent said that: "speed limits are pretty much just right for the most part." A small number - eight per cent - said that they believe that national primary road speed limits need updating.
A higher proportion of older drivers - 54 per cent of those aged 45-54 and 46 per cent of those aged over 55 - say that an overhaul is needed, compared to 36 per cent of those aged between 25 and 34, although some of them - 29 per cent - say that regional road limits need updating. More men (32 per cent) than woman at 28 per cent and those aged 18-24 (56 per cent) think that the speed limits are just right for the most part.
Speed limits in town and on country roads
The Aviva survey further sought respondents' views as to their satisfaction with speed limits on the various Irish roads and which were either too slow, too fast, or just right. Those drivers who believe that the current speed limits are too fast included 19 per cent who attributed this to regional and local roads, 17 per cent to those in towns and cities and special speed limits, 10 per cent on motorways and 6 per cent on national roads. However, of those drivers who selected the option that the current speed limits are too slow, with 20 per cent of those surveyed saying they were too slow on motorways, 19 per cent referring to national roads, 13 per cent to regional and local roads, 9 per cent on the special speed limits and 7 per cent to those limits in towns and cities.
Commenting on the results of the survey, Alan Behan, Motor Product Manager at Aviva said: "The appalling increase in fatalities on our roads this year has resulted in 129 people who have lost their lives to date, 25 more than for the same period last year. The Minister for State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers recently announced that a review will go to Government shortly recommending the lowering of speed limits on some roads. The urgent need for this review is clear given the findings of the survey where 46 per cent of drivers believe that they need an overhaul. The proposal includes lowering the speed limits on national secondary roads, rural roads and within town, cities, and residential areas."
Factors other than speed
"There is also a need to educate drivers that the speed limit on any given road is not an actual target and that consideration must also be given to the pertaining weather conditions, and factors such as other driver behaviours, driver fatigue, distractions, wearing of seat belts" said Behan. "While there are many factors that contribute to motor accidents on our roads, speeding is one of the major causes and one that unfortunately can result in more fatalities where younger, less experienced drivers are involved. Those driving at high speeds have less time to react if something untoward happens and it takes longer to stop or slow down, resulting in a greater likelihood of serious injury or death. We have all heard the horrific statistics on road fatalities on Irish roads this year, with approximately one third of whom sadly were young people under 25. In addition, over 649 people have been seriously injured as of 23 July 2023 on our roads, many of whom have life-changing injuries. It is clear that a range of measures need to be introduced, including the reduction of certain speed limits, to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents on our roads."