Many rural roads across the country have had the speed limit reduced today.
The change in speed limits is the only way to prevent road accidents near schools.
That's the view of Borris in Ossory/Mountmellick Councillor John King.
The Department of Transport is lowering the maximum speed on rural local roads from 80 km/h to 60 km/h today.
Further reductions are planned for later in the year, including setting a 30 km/h limit in towns and housing estates
The Fine Gael rep has welcomed the change - and says it's equally needed for built up areas: