 Speed Limits on Irish Roads -
Ireland goes Metric (again)
From January 20th 2005 all speed limits on Irish roads are signposted in metric, or kilometres per hour (km/h or k.p.h.).
Termed "the most significant change to speed limits in the history of the State", the new limits provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2004 bring to an end the strange anomaly by which distances on signposts in Ireland were displayed in metric (kilometres) while speed limits had remained in the old imperial miles per hour. The new limits also bring Ireland in line with the rest of Europe.
Although most off the speed limits have been converted by rounding off the metric equivalent, and many have gone up as a result, the major change is the introduction of a new limit on Regional and Local roads (marked R and L on maps and with white signposts). Here the previous limit of 60 mph has been reduced to 80 km/h, a reduction of 16.6%. Since most of the major roads in the country fall into these categories speed limits have effectively been reduced on 90% of Ireland's roads.
Since the mid 1980s cars sold in Ireland have all been equipped with dual speedometers showing both mph and km/h. In 2004 most dealers began to equip metric-only speedometers in anticipation of the changeover.
There are also a number of new special limits applying to dangerous roads and built up areas. You can see a complete list of the road types and their speed limits on our Speed Limits on Roads in Ireland page.
Almost 60,000 new road signs are expected to be in place by the end of January. New signs show speed limits with the caption "km/h" below where old signs, should any remain, have a number only. Other than that, here's some pointers for UK drivers and others trying to convert.
If you're used to driving in Ireland, and driving responsibly, most speed limits haven't changed significantly. Drive as you always did, with the exception of roads with white signposts, where the limit is now 80 km/h or 50 mph, instead of 60 mph previously.
If your car speedometer shows mph, halve the number shown on the sign and you'll be well within the speed limit. In fact, halving it and adding 5 will keep you safe.
For more information on the new speed limits, visit www.gometric.ie.
Oh and by the way, we still drive on the left.
For a full list of road types and their speed limits see our Road Categories page.
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