17/05/2012
McDevitt Launches Consultation Into 20mph Speed limits
SDLP South Belfast MLA, Conall McDevitt, has launched a consultation seeking views on a reduction in speed limits from 30mph to 20mph on designated unclassified roads as part of his bid to introduce legislation through a Private Members Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Mr McDevitt said: "Research from the Department for Transport (DfT) found that if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph, there is about a 2.5% (1 in 40) chance of being killed, or 97.5% chance of surviving, which compares with the research which states that if hit by a car travelling at 30mph, there is about a 20% (1 in 5) chance of being killed, or 80% chance of survival.
"The main objective of the bill is to increase road safety, particularly for pedestrians and other road users, but as evidence from elsewhere suggests, a reduced speed limit also benefits our health and our environment.
"At present, there are some designated 20mph zones in this region; however the introduction of legislation to be applied to appropriate designated streets would represent a positive step towards making our streets a safer place.
"It is envisaged that the legislation would apply only to smaller residential streets and not major thoroughfares.
"As a legislator, I believe we should be seeking to effect positive change in our society, and I believe that reducing the speed limits on some of our roads would ensure fewer accidents and fatalities on our streets, as well as the possibility of playing a part in contributing to public health, through encouraging more people to walk and cycle for short, every day journeys."
(CD/GK)
Mr McDevitt said: "Research from the Department for Transport (DfT) found that if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph, there is about a 2.5% (1 in 40) chance of being killed, or 97.5% chance of surviving, which compares with the research which states that if hit by a car travelling at 30mph, there is about a 20% (1 in 5) chance of being killed, or 80% chance of survival.
"The main objective of the bill is to increase road safety, particularly for pedestrians and other road users, but as evidence from elsewhere suggests, a reduced speed limit also benefits our health and our environment.
"At present, there are some designated 20mph zones in this region; however the introduction of legislation to be applied to appropriate designated streets would represent a positive step towards making our streets a safer place.
"It is envisaged that the legislation would apply only to smaller residential streets and not major thoroughfares.
"As a legislator, I believe we should be seeking to effect positive change in our society, and I believe that reducing the speed limits on some of our roads would ensure fewer accidents and fatalities on our streets, as well as the possibility of playing a part in contributing to public health, through encouraging more people to walk and cycle for short, every day journeys."
(CD/GK)
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03 September 2021
Further Roll Out Of 20mph School Speed Limit Schemes
The second phase of the part-time 20mph speed limit schemes at 106 schools across Northern Ireland has been rolled out, Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon has announced. This takes the total number of schools benefiting from this new road safety scheme introduced by Minister Mallon to 209.
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21 October 2021
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Road safety around schools in NI remains a priority with Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon committing to continue the roll-out of a 20mph speed limit on the roads outside their gates. The Minister has visited five schools in the Mid Ulster area which have been included in the 2021/22 programme to have 20mph speed limit schemes installed.
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Road safety around schools in NI remains a priority with Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon committing to continue the roll-out of a 20mph speed limit on the roads outside their gates. The Minister has visited five schools in the Mid Ulster area which have been included in the 2021/22 programme to have 20mph speed limit schemes installed.
20 January 2005
Motorists advised 'Watch Your Speed' in metric
Motorists crossing the border are being advised to pay close attention to their speed as changes in speed limits come into force in the Republic of Ireland today. The Garda Síochána have warned that there will be no leniency given to motorists who fail to observe the new speed limits.
Motorists advised 'Watch Your Speed' in metric
Motorists crossing the border are being advised to pay close attention to their speed as changes in speed limits come into force in the Republic of Ireland today. The Garda Síochána have warned that there will be no leniency given to motorists who fail to observe the new speed limits.
17 January 2005
Signs and speed limits to change in Republic
Motorists entering the Republic of Ireland are being reminded today that certain speed limits are due to change as the country adopts kilometres per hour this week. From midnight on January 19, the speed limit on rural national and local roads will be reduced to 50mph (80 km/h), though national routes will have a 62mph (100km/h) limit.
Signs and speed limits to change in Republic
Motorists entering the Republic of Ireland are being reminded today that certain speed limits are due to change as the country adopts kilometres per hour this week. From midnight on January 19, the speed limit on rural national and local roads will be reduced to 50mph (80 km/h), though national routes will have a 62mph (100km/h) limit.