Slow Zones rolled out for city’s streets

DETAILS of the expansion of the 30km per hour speed limit zones for Dublin City centre were unveiled at St Francis CBS on John Dillon Street in Dublin 8 last week.

From midnight on Friday, March 31 the new ‘Slow Zones’ are compulsory in certain residential areas and in the vicinity of schools across the capital.

Dublin City Council’s Environment and Transportation Department, in conjunction with key stake-holders in the city, say the new speed limits will result in safer and calmer environments for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

“This expansion will generally not affect the arterial roads in and out of the city but rather the residential areas of the city,” it was stated.

“From March 31, new signage will be revealed in housing estates and locations where the 30km per hour speed limit is being applied and a Slow Zone is being created.”

Cllr Ciarán Cuffe, the chairperson of Dublin City Council’s Transportation Strategic Policy Committee, said lower speed limits would mean safer streets and calmer communities.

“We’re following the lead of cities like London and Edinburgh, and we’re responding to the wishes of residents,” he said.

“Parents want their children to be able to walk and cycle to school, and older people want to cross the road in safety. These measures will save lives”.

Roseann Brennan, founder of ‘Jake’s Legacy’, has campaigned for a 30km per hour speed limit to be introduced to residential areas since she lost her son to a road traffic accident in her estate in 2014.

Speaking at the announcement, Roseann said: “To all road users I want people to be aware that no one wants to live with regret in their lives due to a small mistake that could easily have been avoided.

“The 30km per hour speed limit expansion makes so much sense. When a pedestrian walks out on the road and a driver is distracted a slower speed allows for everyone to come away from a road traffic accident with fewer injuries or even a life saved.

“Slower speeds will result in fewer injuries,” Roseann added. “Just stop and think before you get into your car and drive, especially in residential areas.

“Jake’s Legacy really admires how Dublin City Council has made the speed limits in the city such a priority.  

“Feedback from residents in Dublin City shows that drivers are beginning to take our road safety seriously. 

“All we can wish for at this point is that all other counties will follow suit.”

Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, added: “I welcome the rollout of a 30km per hour speed limit in the Dublin City centre area.

“Ireland is falling behind the rest of Europe in the setting of 30km per hour speed limits in the centres of towns and cities

 “For example, Edinburgh has recently extended 30km per hour zones across 80 per cent of its city streets. In the UK 13 million people live in this lower speed zone which protects our most vulnerable road users.”

The Principal of Francis Street CBS School, Fiona Collins, said they were delighted to help launch the speed limit expansion.

“The promotion of safer and calmer streets that encourage walking and cycling very much aligns with our culture of wellness and positive community involvement here in Francis St CBS,” she said.

“Many of our children walk to school and take part in after school activities so we wish to not only pro-mote this further but make this experience as safe as possible.”