A photo shared online by Gardai of a speeding detection involving a motorist in Offaly who was found driving at 80km per hour in a 50km zone today (Thursday).

Offaly motorist clocked at 113km in 80km zone on 'slow down day'

Adrian Cusack

Published: Thu 29 Feb 2024, 3:08 PM

Today is the first 'National Slow Down Day' of 2024, but figures released by Gardai in Laois-Offaly indicate that some local motorists haven't been heeding that message.

The 24-hour 'slow down' campaign started at 7am this morning, and inside the first six hours several significant speeding incidents had been recorded in this Garda district.

One driver in Banagher was detected travelling at 113km in an 80km zone in the early part of the day.

Another incident in an unspecified area of Offaly involved a driver speeding at 80km in a 50km zone.

Gardai in Co. Offaly have detected this driver going 80kp/h in a 50kp/h zone.

Speed is a significant factor in road deaths in Ireland as it both increases the likelihood of a collision, and the severity of injuries sustained if a collision occurs.

Please slow down.#SaferRoads pic.twitter.com/7KO7iyc4QN
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) February 29, 2024

Elsewhere in Laois-Offaly, a motorists in Borris in Ossary was doing 127km in a 100km zone, while a driver in Abbeyleix was clocked at 138km in a 100km zone.

Another vehicle in Portlaoise reached a speed of 158km per hour, despite being in a 120km zone.

"Speed is a significant factor in road deaths in Ireland as it both increases the likelihood of a collision, and the severity of injuries sustained if a collision occurs. Please slow down," An Garda Siochana reiterated.

'National Slow Down Day' continues until 7am tomorrow (Friday) morning.