Arguments for and against new speed limit reductions in Inishowen

The speed limit on rural local roads has been reduced from 80 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour.

The move is the first of a series of planned reductions under the ‘Slower Speeds, Safer Roads’ initiative, announced by new Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien.

The next implementation phase will focus on urban speed limits, including housing estates and town centres, reducing to 30kph.

Changes in the speed limit bylaws are being introduced across the State in response to a rise in fatalities and serious injuries in road traffic collisions. Last year there were 18 deaths in Donegal, including seven in Inishowen.

Just two sections of Inishowen’s local roads are exempt from the move, with the Whin Hill Road between Muff and Bridgend and the Racecourse Road between Muff and the Derry border remaining at 80kph.

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Further consultation later this year will examine speed limits on regional roads, such as Buncrana to Bridgend [R238], Carn to Buncrana [R244], and Moville to Muff [R238].

International research indicates that speed is still a contributory factor in a third of fatal collisions and that reducing speed significantly reduces road collisions.

The Department says countries across Europe, including France and the UK, have lowered speed limits on certain road types in recent years. Subsequent research has indicated that reducing speed limits contributed to a 10 per cent reduction in road fatalities in France and to a reduction in insurance costs in the UK. 

Local authorities have received grants to change speed limit signs from ‘80’ to ‘60’ on relevant local roads. These are in place so that road users can see clearly which limit applies.

Retired Moville Garda PJ Costello says the “real core of the problem” lies in better education for would-be drivers.

“They need to go back to the drawing board in terms of driving training, teaching people to drive properly at an early age,” he said ahead of the changes.

“It should be started at second-level schools and you proceed from that to actually getting out on the road.”

Mr Costello believes there should be automatic retests for habitual offenders and he has also slammed as a “total disgrace” the lack of driver testers here in Inishowen, where currently there is no dedicated tester based in Buncrana, contributing to lengthy wait times.

“You then have drivers on the road on learners’ permits who shouldn’t be on the road and there aren’t enough Gardai then to enforce it,” he added.

In terms of speed limits, former Garda Costello does agree with certain decreases but he wouldn’t necessarily support widespread reductions. He is in favour of reducing the limits on country laneways and also in urban areas.

“I do agree with lowering them on narrow boreens where realistically it should be 30kph and in town centres too," he said. "I know it can be dangerous for pedestrians to cross streets, particularly when you get a speedy driver.”

“But I wouldn’t like to see the Ture Straight [from Quigley’s Point to Muff] going back down to 80kph. All that’s going to do is lead to driver frustration and drivers taking more chances, which could lead to further collisions or fatalities.”

Meanwhile, County Councillor Joy Beard has urged a “concerted effort” to reduce the number of road deaths here. 

“The number is far too high and each one is a tragedy for that person’s family, friends and community,” she said. “There needs to be a concerted effort to bring this down.”

However, she has queried whether “a blanket reduction in the speed limit is really the answer?”

She added: “Those who currently drive too fast are ignoring the existing speed limits. Are they going to slow down when the new limits are introduced? I think the answer is better enforcement and the use of black box technology.”

The 100% Redress Councillor says reducing speed limits could hamper business and increase frustration.

“Donegal is a rural county with a poor road network. Increasing journey times will add costs to already-struggling businesses and cause frustration for law-abiding careful motorists,” she said.

“Too many lives have been ruined by careless drivers. It’s time for speeding to become as socially unacceptable as drink and drug driving. Only then will we be able to reduce the number of fatalities on our county’s roads.”