The Green Party’s promise to cut speed limits to 30km/h in towns is nothing but “optics” and “electioneering”, according to Newstalk Breakfast host Ciara Kelly. 

The party proposed this urban speed limit as part of local election manifesto, alongside lowering the voting age to 16 and planting one million trees over the next five years. 

Ciara said the Green Party are “chasing down the wrong things” with the proposed speed limit change. 

“There are urban [road] deaths and clearly, road deaths are an issue,” she said. 

“Any deaths any fatalities are a tragedy for the for the people involved. 

“But I think we are chasing down the wrong things. 

“I was in the west over Christmas, and I was on roads that had the sign at the side of the road saying 100 as the speed limit - I wouldn't do 60 kilometers an hour on myself.” 

Speed limits 'quite Green Party-ish'

Newstalk Breakfast co-host Shane Coleman pointed out you can change the speed limit in multiple areas at once. 

Ciara, however, maintained this is the wrong political decision from the Green Party. 

“I think this is electioneering and I think this is optics,” she said. 

“I think this is quite Green Party-ish... I don't think that this is going to be the thing that makes a difference to roads deaths.” 

Deaths on Irish roads

Shane argued there are “loads of reasons” why there should be a 30km/h speed in urban areas. 

“27% of people who die on our roads die on urban roads,” he said. “Between 2020 and 2022, 112 road fatalities on urban roads. 

“We know if you're hit at 30 kilometers an hour you have a 90% chance of survival, whereas your survival odds dramatically fall after that.” 

He also said this would encourage a “mindset change” amongst drivers. 

“Even if they do drive slightly above the speed limit that will be at a lower limit,” he said. 

“And it’s about not making the car king of the road – I think it’s a no-brainer.” 

Some 73 people have died on Irish roads since the start of 2024, compared to 56 within the same time period last year.