More than half of drivers are breaking speed limits on urban roads, according to the Road Safety Authority’s latest nationwide survey, raising serious concerns for pedestrian and cyclist safety as summer approaches.
The RSA’s 2024 “Free Speed” survey, which monitored 80 locations across Ireland, found that 54% of drivers exceeded the 30 km/h limit, while over 40% broke speed limits on 50 km/h and 60 km/h roads. The findings highlight a persistent and dangerous trend that puts vulnerable road users at heightened risk.
Speed remains a critical factor in road traffic casualties, contributing to an estimated 10-15% of all collisions and up to 30% of fatal crashes, according to the European Road Safety Observatory. The survey results paint a concerning picture of driver behaviour, particularly in urban areas where pedestrians and cyclists are most exposed.
Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, emphasised the gravity of the situation:
“The results show that speeding remains a persistent threat to safety on our roads, particularly in urban areas where vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists are at greatest risk. The evidence shows that reducing speed saves lives and prevents serious injuries.”
The survey revealed troubling patterns across different road types and times. On higher-speed roads, just over one-third of drivers exceeded limits on 80km/h and 100km/h routes, while motorways recorded the lowest non-compliance rate at approximately 17% of drivers breaking the 120 km/h limit.
Heavy Goods Vehicles presented a particular concern, with 78% of HGV drivers exceeding their 80km/h limit on 100km/h roads. This represents a significant safety risk given the potential severity of collisions involving large commercial vehicles.
The timing of speeding offences followed predictable but worrying patterns. Non-compliance increased during night-time and early morning hours (8pm-8am) across nearly all road types, while weekend speeding rose notably on urban 50 km/h and 60 km/h roads.
Sarah O’Connor stressed the importance of individual responsibility:
“We are urging all drivers to take personal responsibility, reduce their speed, and recognise that even small reductions in speed can make a life-saving difference. Driving within the speed limit is not just about obeying the law, it’s about saving lives.”
The RSA has been conducting these surveys since 2006, working alongside Transport Infrastructure Ireland to gather comprehensive data across Ireland’s road network. The 2024 findings serve as a stark reminder that speed enforcement and driver education remain critical priorities.
With summer bringing increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians to Irish roads, the RSA is calling on all motorists to moderate their speed, stay alert, and remember the potentially life-saving impact of adhering to speed limits.
The organisation continues to advocate for personal responsibility among drivers, emphasising that compliance with speed limits represents a fundamental duty of care towards all road users.