Councillor says you cannot ‘legislate for stupid’ when it comes to driving in Kilkenny

A speed limit review for County Kilkenny was presented to the Kilkenny County Council on Monday, November 20. 

The report outlined areas which were to have their speed limits changed under special speed limit bye-laws.

These bye-laws are set to come into effect on January 1, 2024. 

Local Authorities are mandated to review speed limits every five years.

The last review in county Kilkenny was carried out in 2017.

In September, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) unveiled a new ‘Vision Zero’ campaign, it is a worldwide commitment that aims for no road deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads by 2050.

Councillor Eugene McGuinness called this an ‘ambitious target’.

He added that these speed limits need to be enforced and they cannot ‘legislate for stupid’. 

Tim Butler, Director of Services said that they have consulted with members from the RSA, Gardaí, Kilkenny Fire Service and Transport Infrastructure Ireland. 

He added that they have agreed on a set of targets for up to 2030 and will revise as the RSA issues further guidelines.

“We are very conscious nationally and locally of the number of road fatalities,” he said.