Drivers have been warned they could face sweeping changes to speed limits across Northern Ireland under new safety proposals.
It comes after the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland launched a major public consultation aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries.
The 14-week review opened today (January 14) and will run until April 22, with the consultation examining whether current speed limits remain appropriate.
It sets out proposals which could see wider 20mph zones, lower speed limits on rural roads, and higher limits introduced for Heavy Goods Vehicles.
The Department for Infrastructure explained how the review has been driven by clear evidence that excessive speed remains one of the most significant factors in the severity of road traffic collisions.
Official figures detailed how 56 people were killed on Northern Ireland's roads last year, with 69 deaths occurring the year before.
The consultation document warned that dangerous behaviours, including speeding, have been linked to the majority of collisions.
It also highlighted how rural roads account for a disproportionate number of fatal and serious injury crashes, particularly on single carriageways.
Under the plans, HGVs could see speed limits increased while drivers face more 20mph zones throughout Northern Ireland
| TRANSPORT SCOTLANDInfrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins said: "Road safety is a high priority for me and for my Department, and I'm delighted to announce this public consultation of a Speed Limit Review as part of my commitment to working proactively to make our roads safer for everyone.
"It is clear from the evidence that excessive speed remains one of the most significant factors in collisions and fatalities on our roads. Behind the numbers are families and communities who have been left heartbroken by often preventable tragedies. Every life lost on our roads is a call to action for both Government and society."
One of the key areas under consideration is the expansion of 20mph speed limits, with the review noting communities feel safer when traffic moves more slowly.
Currently, Northern Ireland has a limited number of 20mph schemes, with around 33 advisory zones and approximately 700 roads with traffic calming measures, the review stated.
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The 20mph speed limits would be introduced throughout the region to help create safer roads
| PAUnder new consultation plans, the Government could introduce 20mph speed limits in "appropriate areas" across the country.
The review also examined national speed limits on rural roads, with evidence showing a strong link between high speeds on rural single-carriageway roads and fatal collisions.
The report also detailed how in the Republic of Ireland, HGV speed limits are 56mph on motorways and 50mph on national and regional roads, while being lower at 37mph on rural local roads.
The Northern Irish DfI said evidence suggested higher HGV speed limits can improve traffic flow, reduce risky overtaking manoeuvres, and align Northern Ireland with speed limits in other nations, including Scotland.
Under the proposals, HGVs would see speed limits increase to 60mph on dual carriageways
| GETTYUnder the suggested options, the speed limit for HGVs could change to 50mph on all single carriageways and 60mph on all dual carriageways to align with other regions. Another option would be introducing a trialled speed limit increase for HGVs across the region.
The report detailed: "This option could improve road safety on selected routes by increasing HGV speed limits to 50mph/60mph on single and dual carriageway roads respectively.
"However, HGV speed limits on non-selected routes would remain the same, which could potentially lead to HGV driver confusion."
Motorists, residents, businesses and road safety groups have been encouraged to take part in the consultation and share their views on how speed limits should be set.