Garda crackdown on speeding

National Slow Down Day continues till 7am tomorrow Friday November 8

An Garda Síochána started a 24-hour national speed enforcement operation, ‘Slow Down Day’, supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders at 7am today, Thursday November 7.

An Garda Síochána conducts a number of national slow down days each year with the aim of reminding drivers of the dangers of speeding, to increase the overall compliance with speed limits in place nationwide, and to deter those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.

It is important to remember that no matter how good the road and weather conditions are, any increase in speed will significantly increase the likelihood of being involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision, said a garda spokesperson.

“The number of fatal road traffic collisions is this year is down on 2023, and it is paramount that road users continue to support An Garda Síochána to maintain this trend.

“Speeding not only puts you at risk but also endangers the lives of others around you. Every time you speed there is an increase in the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle, which could lead to a serious or fatal accident.

“The consequences of speeding can be devastating, not only for yourself but for all others using the road.”

Background

National Slow Down Day encourages a conversation on speed and road safety. Conversations on road safety should not only take place in the aftermath of fatal road traffic collisions - this is too late, these conversations should take place every day.

Speeding while driving is one of the most dangerous driving practices there is.

The faster the speed,> the more severe the impact and the deadlier the consequences.

Inappropriate speed (for prevailing weather, traffic, road conditions) is just as much a problem as exceeding the speed limit:

• 1 in 10 pedestrians will die if hit by a car travelling at 30kmh

• 5 in 10 pedestrians will die if hit by a car travelling at 50kmh

• 9 in 10 will die if hit by a car travelling at 60kmh.

“An Garda Síochána remain committed to improving road safety on the roads – however our work alone cannot prevent all fatal or serious road traffic collisions from occurring. We need your support.”

Update 1

In the first two hours of ‘National Slow Down Day’, GoSafe checked the speeds of 15,029 vehicles, and detected *28 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

Examples of high speeds include:

• 113kmh in a 80kmh Zone on the R245 Cashelshanaghan Letterkenny Donegal

• 69kmh in a 50kmh Zone on the R708 Ballytruckle Green Waterford

• 124kmh in a 100kmh Zone on the N22 Gortatlea Tralee Kerry

• 70kmh in a 60kmh Zone on the N25 Grahormack Tagoat Wexford

* Figures are based on GoSafe detections only. They will be higher with An Garda Síochána personnel detections, which are not available at the moment.