An Garda Síochána is conducting a national speed enforcement operation “Slow Down”, for a 24 hour period until 7am tomorrow morning. The speed enforcement operation will be supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders. The aim of “Slow Down Day” is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, to increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.
Last year saw an increase in fatal road traffic collisions, with 157 lives lost on the road, the largest death toll on Irish roads since 2016. So far this year there have been 52 fatalities, an increase of 3 on the same day last year.
During 2022, 73% of fatal collisions occurred on rural roads, these have a speed limit of 80km/hr, with 27% on urban roads. It has been estimated that 30% of fatal collisions are as a direct result of speeding or inappropriate speed.
The overall objective is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. This National Slow Down Day forms part of a European day of action aimed at combatting speed on the roads.
