Author: Dublin City Council

Like many cities across the world, Dublin is in the process of redressing the imbalance in the transport system by facilitating and prioritising alternatives to the car. A successful city is one which provides for the basic needs of all its citizens.  This includes the implementation of legislation that serves to create safe streets and neighbourhoods and reduce fear associated with engaging in sustainable modes of transport such as walking and cycling.  

One method of achieving this is the use of traffic-calming measures such as reduced speed limits.  The case for speed reduction is well established.  Research states that with low average speeds, even a 1.6km/h reduction in average speed can reduce collisions by around 6% (Taylor et al, 2000, TRL Report 421).  At 30 km per hour, 1 in 10 pedestrians will die; At 50 km per hour, 5 in 10 pedestrians will die and at 60 km per hour, 9 in 10 pedestrians will die. Benefits of lower speed limits include:

• Traffic moves more smoothly with minimal effects on journey times;
• Air and noise pollution are reduced;
• Carbon emissions are reduced by the increase in the number of people walking and cycling;
• Young people are encouraged to move about independently and their parents are encouraged to permit their children to do so;
• People of all ages are encouraged to walk and cycle and children are encouraged to play outdoors thus helping to combat rising levels of obesity;
• Transform our urban and village streets and residential estates from car dominated through-roads to vibrant living ‘people-friendly’ spaces.

The first 30km/h speed limits were implemented on Dublin streets in 2006. Included in this initial scheme were a specific section of the city centre plus a number of small residential areas. Prior to that, a “built-up area” speed limit of 50km/h was the default. The legislative basis by which a speed limit of 30km/h could be applied was established by the Road Traffic Act 2004, which empowered a county or city council to make bye-laws specifying a speed limit of 30km/h in respect of any particular public road. The primary goal of this provision was to match the maximum permitted speed with local road conditions and to improve road safety.

Since then, the number of streets in Dublin designated with a 30km/h speed limit has increased substantially. In December 2016, Dublin City Councillors approved plans to expand the 30km/h speed limit to almost all roads and streets (excluding arterial routes) across the city.

“We have expanded the 30km/h slow zones in Dublin City centre with a view to encouraging a mind-set shift in motorists to slow down in our residential areas to 30km/h thereby reducing significantly the likelihood of injuries and fatalities”, said Dick Brady, Assistant Chief Executive, Dublin City Council.  This deployment, which includes 30km/h periodic speed limits at certain schools, is being implemented in phases and, to date, the lower speed limit has been introduced successfully into many areas close to the city centre. It is expected that three more phases will provide the full extent of the Dublin City Council area with a speed limit of 30km/h. For each phase, a new set of bye-laws and the associated public consultation are required; it is anticipated that all phases will be completed within the next three years.

Dublin City Council has employed a number of methods to evaluate the impact of the lower speed limit and the attitude of the public to it. Speed detection surveys have been conducted before and after the introduction of the new limit at selected locations; identifying and rectifying areas of poor compliance is important in order to maintain trust in the exercise. The overall trend has been positive and although it will take some time to achieve adherence to 30km/h on roads that were previously 50kmh, we are on the right track.

Looking to the future, Dublin City Council is committed to further enhancing its traffic-calming measures and working closely with stakeholders to achieve this goal. A key component of the success of the scheme of the 30km/h speed limit has been public support. As part of the public engagement process, a comprehensive attitudinal survey of residents’ post-implementation was carried out. It was found that 90% of respondents supported the expansion of the 30km/h speed limit. As the scheme is expanded in the coming years, we hope this level of public support will continue as the benefits for walking and cycling become more apparent.

For ECF's work on road safety go to our page on Motor Vehicle Regulation for safer Cycling.