Speeding limit on N80 rising despite lower limit
More than 120 drivers a day are being caught speeding on the N80 near Carlow town, according to figures released by An Garda Síochána that show detections almost doubling since the road’s speed limit was cut.
A static safety camera was installed at Graiguenaspiddeog on the N80 Wexford Road on 23 May 2025, in response to what gardaí described as a high volume of fatal and serious road traffic incidents on the route. At the time the speed limit was 100kph.
On 18 December 2025, Carlow County Council formally reduced the limit on stretches of the N80 from 100kph to 80kph, covering the road between Carlow town and Bunclody. The change, enacted under the Road Traffic Act 2004 following consultation with gardaí and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, was part of a wider county-wide review of speed limits.
Superintendent Anthony Farrell of Carlow said the data on drivers still exceeding the limit at Graiguenaspiddeog was “as concerning as alarming”. Under the old 100km/h limit, an average of 68 vehicles a day were detected speeding at the location. Since the limit dropped to 80kph, that daily average has risen to 129.
“It is clear that there needs to be a sharper focus on compliance rather than enforcement,” Supt Farrell said.
Carlow now records the second-highest number of detections nationally among the 14 national and regional roads fitted with static safety cameras. Speeding is one of four principal causal factors known to contribute to road deaths and injuries, and such cameras are internationally proven to reduce speeding by slowing vehicles and changing driver behaviour, gardaí said.
Supt Farrell made a direct appeal to younger drivers in particular. “We can’t wait for serious road traffic collisions to happen before people take notice,” he said. “Sadly, people have not only been seriously injured on this road but also lost their lives. Looking at the volume of speeding, especially on the N80, I think of families, friends and communities impacted by such tragedies.” He stressed that the camera is not covert, with its location repeatedly signposted along the N80 and publicised locally, on social media and on the Garda website. Prosecution of speeding offences is by Fixed Charge Notice, currently starting at a €160 fine and three penalty points, with failure to pay resulting in a court summons.
The figures come after the speed reduction drew criticism at council level. At the authority’s January meeting, Independent Ireland councillor John Cassin questioned whether the change was having the desired effect and suggested it may have made the road more dangerous. Council chief executive Coilín O’Reilly asked for patience, noting the road saw 27 collisions requiring fire service attendance last year, and said the measure would be reviewed after six months.
Gardaí said they would continue to work with Carlow County Council, the Road Safety Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland on further measures, including additional roadside signage, driver feedback signs and a possible move to average-speed cameras.
Supt Farrell noted the lower limit adds only three minutes and 49 seconds to a full journey between Carlow and Bunclody. “Speed limits are not targets,” he said. “It’s simply not safe to try and make up time on the road. Please drive safely. Arrive alive.”
