Garda warning on slow down day

Gardaí in Clare detected a motorist driving 52km/h above the speed limit along the N17. The car was found travelling at 152km/h in a 100km/h zone.

Details of the speeding detection were released by An Garda Síochána, ahead of a national speed enforcement operation this weekend.

The operation, known as Slow Down Day, is supported by the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, and will take place for a 24-hour period, from 7am on Friday to 7am on Saturday.

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

In terms of road safety, 2017 was the lowest on record, with 157 road deaths. Excessive and inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor in road traffic collisions.
A recent RSA report on fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 found that excessive speed was a contributory factor in one third of all fatal collisions during that time. 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. This is why reducing motorists’ speed is essential to improving road safety.

Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy, Roads Policing Bureau, said, “We appeal to all drivers to slow down and support our Slow Down Day. This will reduce injury and tragedy on the road. Although last year was the safest on record in terms of road safety, there is no room for complacency.

“Please stick strictly to the posted speed limit but, if the road, traffic or especially weather conditions dictate, reduce your speed even further. This will make the journey safer, not only for you but for every road user.”

Chief Superintendent Murphy continued, “We ask drivers to slow down, not just on Slow Down Day but every day. We will continue to target irresponsible drivers, who speed or put others at risk.”

The operation will consist of high-visibility speed enforcement in speed enforcement zones, which now number over 1,000, as well as the delivery of a road safety message through the use of national, local and social media.

An Garda Síochána strongly promotes this campaign on social media.

By Jessica Quinn