Auto advice: What are the country’s five speed limits and why they are being reduced?

Our motoring editor answers your questions on where the speed limits apply and the reasons for them

Speed limits are set by the Department of Transport

Geraldine Herbert

Speed limits are set by the Department of Transport. There are five different types of speed limits that apply to certain types of roads throughout the country. The current speed limits are: motorways (120 kmh), national roads (100 kmh), regional roads (80 kmh), urban areas (50kmh) and then there are special limits sometimes applied in certain urban areas and to schools, for example (30kmh).

Under the Road Traffic Act of 2004 default speed limits are applied to different classes or categories of roads. Local authorities are permitted to intervene and set special speed limits, within limitations, on roads in their area.