Gardaí wish to thank the public for their co-operation during Operation Slow Down. Reports from around the country indicate that the response to the key message of the initiative - to slow down - was heeded, and there was a visible reduction in speed from the motoring public.
The initiative was launched by the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to remind road users that a reduction in speed helps to reduce collisions, which, in turn, lowers the number of deaths on our roads. A small reduction in speed loses you an insignificant amount of time on long journeys, however, it makes a huge difference in terms of road safety.
Commissioner Martin Callinan stated:
"Safety on our roads is the responsibility of everyone and as Garda Commissioner I wish to acknowledge the positive response from the motoring public during this particular operation. I also wish to acknowledge the significant contribution made be the RSA, the media and all of the stakeholders."
The Garda Commissioner continued that the feedback from members of the Garda Traffic Corps accross the country would indicate a significant reduction in speed accross the road network during the operation. Up to 4pm over 33,000 vehicles were monitiored and only 45 were detected for exceeding the speed limit. This clearly demostrates the public " buy in" to road safety and we welcome the change in driver behaviour and urge the motoring public to continue to " reduce speed, drive at an appropraite speed for the conditions and therefore save lives. Gardai will continue to enforce the legislation for those drivers who speed and fail to change their driving behaviour."
