Until now the general speed limit in urban areas has been fixed at 50kph but from May 11 this changes.
From May 11 the 50kph speed limit only applies to bigger roads with two or more lanes in both direction.
The aim of this change to reduce the urban accident mortality rate by imposingh new limits of 30kph or 20kph, depending on the road.
The 30kph speed limit will apply to urban roads with one lane for each direction. Driving on these roads at 31kph will be considered a serious offence and carries a 100 euros fine but no points on your driving licence.
The 20kph limit applies to roads where the non-raised pedestrian “pavement” is on the same level as the traffic lane in the form that pedestrians and traffic share the same space and always have preference.
In this case the fine for driving at 21kph starts at 100kph and does not carry a loss of points on your licence.
Finally, the local Town Halls have the power to impose lower limits than those mentioned previously, where they consider it necessary, and may install the correct speed limit signs to this effect:
In some exceptional cases speed limits will remain at 50kph on some single lane roads.
Readers are advised, from May 11, to look out for the speed limit signs and stay within these limits in order to avoid a large fine.
