410 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his proposals to reduce the speed limit of cars in residential areas. [8313/02]

The standard speed limit for built-up urban areas is currently 30 miles per hour. However, there is a general obligation that a vehicle shall not be driven at a speed exceeding that which will enable its driver to bring it to a halt within the distance which the driver can see to be clear.

The present framework for speed limits derives from a comprehensive review carried out between 1990 and 1992 and was further addressed in the context of the Government strategy for road safety 1998-1992. The strategy concluded that changes should not be proposed in the immediate term and that the priority was to secure a much higher level of compliance with the existing speed limits.

The merits of a revision of speed limits, including reduced speed limits in urban areas, will be considered in the light of experience under the road safety strategy 1998-2002 and in the context of preparations of the next road safety strategy.