Motorists can decide what speed to use when driving on narrow country lanes from today.

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe is introducing a new rural road sign, which is a white circle with a black diagonal stripe.

It means drivers can use their own judgement in deciding what speed to drive at - though it must be below the limit for the area.

New "urban slow zones" are also being introduce in residential areas with 30 kilometre an hour speed limits. Further rules later this year will give the option of a 20 kilometre limit.

The Transport Minister describes the changes in more depth in the video below:

Speaking at the launch yesterday, Minister Donohoe said: "Speed limits should not be seen by drivers as setting a target speed, or as being appropriate in all conditions, nor are they intended to be. Drivers must, take responsibility to drive at a safe speed appropriate to the particular road and surrounding environment, while not exceeding the posted speed limit".

“A speed limit is the maximum speed at which vehicles may legally travel on a section of road between speed limit signs. It is the responsibility of a driver to obey speed limits at all times. However, it is recognised that if they are to be effective, speed limits need to make sense in the circumstances in which they are employed. The new Guidelines will contribute in that regard.”

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Minster Donohue says the setting of the limit will be at the descretion of the local authority:

Originally posted at 8.49am