Ministers Ryan and Chambers welcome passage of Road Traffic Bill

The Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Jack Chambers TD, has welcomed the passage of the Road Traffic Bill 2024 by the Oireachtas. The Bill, which progressed through the Dáil last month, was passed today by Seanad Éireann, and will now be forwarded to the President for signing.

Speaking today, Minister Chambers said

‘I am very pleased to see this Bill passed and I would like to thank both Houses of the Oireachtas for assisting in the swift passage of this essential and lifesaving legislation. We have witnessed a very disturbing upward trend in road deaths in the last few years, which is continuing into this year. This new legislation seeks to bring systemic improvements to road safety including reductions in speed limits, reform of penalty points, and mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions. This is a key part of this Government’s strategy to reverse the trend of rising fatalities and help make our roads safer for all users.’

Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, added,

‘I welcome the passage of this important Bill. It is a short and focused piece of legislation, and it will act as a vital tool in the Government’s response to the concerning trend we are witnessing on our roads. Too many families have experienced the loss of a family member on our roads, and it is important that we respond in a robust manner. Safer speeds, increased penalties and mandatory drug testing send a clear signal and will encourage safer driving behaviours.’

The Bill addresses three key matters in road safety –

Ensuring that people who commit multiple penalty points on the same occasion will receive multiple sets of points;
Introducing mandatory drug testing following serious collisions, as is already the case for alcohol;
Legislating for safer default speed limits in line with the Department’s speed limit review published in September 2023. Default speed limits will be lowered –

1. On national secondary roads, from 100km/h to 80km/h;

2. On local roads, from 80km/h to 60 km/h; and

3. On roads in built-up areas from 50km/h to 30km/h.

The Bill also includes a number of technical amendments and addresses some recently identified anomalies within roads legislation.

The Department will now be working with stakeholders to implement the changes as rapidly as possible.