Speed enforcement operation in play
An Garda Síochána is conducting a 24-hour speed enforcement operation nationwide in partnership with the Road Safety Authority.
This will be the second National Slow Down Day of the year, and An Garda Síochána is asking the public to please support the initiative by slowing down.
As spring arrives in Ireland and there is a longer period of daylight, we can expect an increase in vulnerable road users, pedestrians and cyclists with more people out and about.
While Gardaí work tirelessly 365 days of the year to help people safe on Ireland’s road network, they alone cannot prevent all fatal road traffic collisions – An Garda Síochána needs everyone’s help and support.
In advance of this National Slow Down Day we are asking people to have a conversation with those around you about speed, driving safely and helping to make sure everyone using Irish roads arrives back home safely.
This is a conversation that should be had regularly with friends, family and colleagues, and should not only take place in the aftermath of fatal road traffic collision when it is too late.
Speeding while driving is one of the most dangerous driving practices there are because the faster the speed the more severe the impact and the much deadlier the consequences.
Statistically, one in ten pedestrians hit by car travelling at 30km/h will die of their injuries. Five in ten of those out walking and struck by a car travelling 50km/h will be killed, and a car being driven at 60km/h and hits a pedestrian as a nine in ten chance of the collision being fatal.
Already this year, more than 32,880 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to motorists for speeding - that’s over 335 people every day.
It is important that motorist’s realise that no matter how good the road and weather conditions are, any increase in speed increases a driver’s likelihood of being involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision.
Driving at a speed that is not appropriate of the prevailing weather, traffic and/or condition of the road is as dangerous as exceeding the speed limit.
Chief Superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Jane Humphries said, "National Slow Down Day is not about catching motorists speeding, in fact we would much prefer to not detect anyone breaking the speed limit.
"Our 24-hour targeted initiative is aimed at getting people to talk about their driving behaviour. To be more mindful of it and the risks that they may take when behind the wheel. We are asking that you chat to family, friends, colleague’s even neighbours – please remind them to slow down, drive safely and without distraction.
"No one likes to ever consider that when they get behind the wheel of a car to take a journey, that they very well may not make it there. There is every possibility if you are speeding that you won’t.”
Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the Road Safety Authority said, "There is clear scientific evidence showing that speed directly affects the likelihood and severity of collisions. Lower speeds give drivers more time to react to unexpected hazards, reducing the chance of a collision, and they significantly reduce injury severity, as the force of a collision increases exponentially with speed.”