Mother of drink-driver victim welcomes speed limit changes and calls for stronger sentences
Christina Donnolly, planting a tree at Bonmahon in memory of her son Brendan. Photo: Joe Evans
Last Friday, the speed limit on all of Waterford’s rural local roads, outside of urban centres, was officially reduced from 80 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour.
Speaking of the change, Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council, said, “All local rural roads in Waterford, outside of urban centres, will be subject to a reduction in speed limits from 80km/h to 60km/h. These roads are denoted as L-roads on the road network.
“A key objective of this change is to keep road users safe and that includes motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, in fact everyone using our roads.”
A number of questions from the public arise due to the change, including how much it costs to implement, what it means for drivers and how effective it will be.
The change has resulted in some confusion regarding the usage of the white and black striped ‘rural speed limit’ signpost.
The sign is already in use in Ireland and internationally. When it was first introduced on Irish roads in 2015, it meant that drivers must use their own judgement but must never exceed 80km/h.
The change in speed limit on many rural local roads will now also change the meaning of this sign.
From February 7, where you see this ‘Rural Speed Limit’ sign it indicates that a maximum 60km/h speed limit is in force.
Mr. Gabriel Hynes added, “From midnight on Friday all speed limit signs on Waterford’s rural local roads will reflect the new speed limit of 60 km/h. In cases where a striped ‘rural speed limit sign’ (a white circle with three diagonal black lines) is used as an alternative to numeric speed limit signs on specific single lane rural roads, will also now mean that a maximum 60km/h limit is in force.”
900 poles and approximately 1,800 signs will be changed in Waterford to reflect the new speed limit, at a cost of €350,000.
Waterford City & County Council have confirmed that this cost is fully funded by the Department of Transport.
Speaking with the Waterford News & Star this week, road safety campaigner and Waterford woman Christina Donnelly welcomed the change, but said that it is now down to the public to abide.
In 2009, Christina’s youngest son Brendan, along with his friend Lee Salkeld, were killed by a driver who had consumed alcohol and cocaine.
In the years following, Christina has campaigned tirelessly for safer roads through the successful Brendan’s Law campaign.
She regularly speaks to students in schools and the media about road safety.
Speaking on the recent speed limit changes, Christina said: “Anything that’s introduced in regards to trying to save lives and prevent injury on our roads is a very good thing, but so much has already been said and done. People have been shouting from the rooftops about drink, drugs, mobile phones and speeding, but yet we still have a percentage of people who will not take action in their driving.
‘With any implementation with regards speed limits or any rules to the road, they should be taken with a great seriousness, but people have to be responsible, they have to understand these changes are being made for a reason.
"I do hope it will make a big difference to loss of lives, and save families from the horrific trauma."
A total of 174 people died in 160 fatal collisions in 2024. A high proportion were male fatalities and people aged 25 years or less.
A large percentage of these fatalities occurred in the evening between 4pm and 8pm.
Christina added that with the changed limits in place, it is now up to each individual driver to take personal responsibility: “It’s absolutely shocking to see the speeds that people travel, with no care for human life.
“Signs are not there for decorations, they have to be taken very seriously. It’s a split second decision that can destroy both your family, and another family, and you never get over it. It’s with you for life.
“At the end of the day, it’s down to the individual to take responsibility once they get behind the wheel. We are responsible for our own actions, and people need to understand that even the slightest bit over the speed limit can take a life. Let’s all work together so that we can lessen the heartache and not have more people attending meetings for bereaved families.
“We all need to remember, no phones, no alcohol, no drugs and watch the speed limits. In that way, we can do our bit to reduce deaths and families grieving and crying."
With regard to road deaths, Christina said that the judicial system needs to be looked at "in the very near future".
“Sentencing will play a very important part in this. The judicial system is not dealing with the drivers on our roads that cause serious injuries and deaths properly at all.
“I hope and pray that the signs will make a difference, but other than that if it continues the way it’s going, it’s the judicial system that has to step in and make people accountable. Someone has to be made an example of if something serious happens after these changes have been made.
“I still mourn Brendan as if he passed away yesterday. I can’t get passed it and that’s because somebody else made a choice to drink and drive and kill my son and many parents recently have had that same knock on the door.
“I really hope and pray that people will sit up and take more care on the road.”
