Speed limit reductions from 80km/h to 60km/h on most of the country’s local roads are to come into force from Friday.
The default speed limit on national secondary roads will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h later this year.
In urban areas such as city and town centres and housing estates, the speed limit will also fall from 50km/h to 30km/h later this year.
The changes are part of efforts to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50 per cent by the decade’s end.
Two bodies found in Co Kerry house may have lain undiscovered since late last year
Gym owner who sexually assaulted woman, filmed others, can resume work on release
Gerry Thornley: How about an alternative look at Ireland’s Six Nations win over England?
An Irish family’s Miami ordeal: ‘I was shocked by the heartlessness of Aer Lingus’
Research shows there are a disproportionate number of fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads across Ireland.
Elena Leao of AA Ireland said that reducing speed limits is a “proven way” to save lives.
AA Ireland is encouraging all drivers to “familiarise” themselves with the updated speed limits and “adapt” their driving habits accordingly.
Ms Leao said driving more slowly helped to reduce fuel consumption and was better for the environment.
To support enforcement of the new limits, gardaí will be carrying out speed checks and using advanced speed detection technology in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, more than 1,000 motorists were stopped for speeding over the four days of the St Brigid’s bank holiday weekend, with more than 160 arrested for suspected drink or drug driving.
The latest death on the road occurred in the early hours of the morning near Oldcastle, Co Meath when a man (20s) died in a single vehicle crash.
[ Man (20s) killed in road crash in Oldcastle, Co MeathOpens in new window ]
The latest fatality brings to 16 the number of people who have lost their lives on the nation’s roads so far this year.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
