Gardai plan speed enforcement blitz this weekend

Motorists can expect a speed enforcement blitz as the gardai mount operation ‘Slow Down’ this weekend.

Gardai will conduct operation ‘Slow Down’ nationwide, with the support of the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, for a 24 hour period from 7am on Friday, May 27 to 7am  on Saturday, May 28.

The objective is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The aim of ‘Slow Down’ is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive and inappropriate speed.

Although 2015 saw a very welcome reduction in road deaths, 27 fewer than in 2014, excessive or inappropriate speed remains a major contributory factor to road traffic collisions. The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood is of a collision happening and the more severe the outcome of that collision. As a general rule a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 4% reduction in fatal collisions. As of last Friday there have been 68 road fatalities, 13 more than that date in 2015.

The operation will consist of high visibility speed enforcement activities to include all 1,031 speed enforcement zones, as well as the delivery of a road safety message through the use of national, local and social media. In addition, Garda personnel will man display stands in key venues to provide road safety advice and distribute road safety leaflets.

Government Departments, Local Authorities, Public and private sector fleet operators have been invited to participate in the initiative by circulating employees with the key message to ‘Slow Down’ and, whether driving for business or private purposes, to always drive within the speed limit and at a speed appropriate to the prevailing conditions.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, Garda National Traffic Bureau said “we are asking all drivers to support the National ‘Slow Down’ day and not exceed the posted speed limit, but also as importantly, by adjusting their speed to all the road, traffic and weather conditions they face at that time. It goes without saying this is not only for one day, but for every day. We are asking people to support it, slow down and save lives.”