"Operation Slow Down" May 2013

Mr. Brett added that:-
 

 "According to independent research conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes on behalf of the RSA in 2012, just over half of drivers say it is unacceptable to break the speed limit. This is very welcome. However, one in every ten drivers said it’s ok to break the speed limit by 10km/h or more, although the number of people in this group is dropping year on year. Of concern is the one third of drivers who believe it is acceptable to break the speed limit by up to 10km/h. These drivers need to understand that breaking the speed limit by such margins can have devastating consequences. For example if a pedestrian is hit at 50km/h the chance of survival is fifty fifty, the toss of a coin. If the same pedestrian is hit at 60km/h nine out of ten will die. We need to realise that a car driven at any speed has the potential to become a lethal weapon, that’s the laws of physics.”
 

Each Garda Division will have an area locally where members will be available to give road safety advice and distribute leaflets. Garda members who are not responding to emergency calls will be leading by example - reducing their speed, and driving at speeds appropriate to the prevailing conditions.
 

Public and private sector fleet operators have been asked to participate in the initiative by circulating employees with the key message to "Slow Down” and, whether driving for business or private purposes, to always drive within the speed and at a speed that is safe for the conditions.

 
There will be highly visible speed checkpoints on national primary and secondary roads, carried out by local members and the Garda Traffic Corps, and also by GoSafe vans.
 

June Bank Holiday Garda Appeal:-
 

Assistant Commissioner Phillips concluded:-
 

"Operation "Slow Down” is only part of the June Bank Holiday Garda activities. 26 people were tragically killed in the month of June 2012, the highest of any month since October 2010. 6 people were killed over last years June Bank Holiday alone. We do not want that repeated ever again. Slowing down saves lives, it’s as simple as that. We are appealing to all road users to play their part in keeping themselves and all road users as safe as possible. We want every person to enjoy the holiday weekend and to exercise caution whether you are travelling or staying local”
 

Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Leo Varadkar TD said:
 

"Last year’s June bank holiday weekend saw six lives lost and a further 12 people seriously injured. There is always a risk associated with driving at the weekend, but bank holiday weekends are riskier still. The roads are busier, and communities will be staging festivals across the country. Many people will be cycling or walking, and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable. I appeal to all road users to take extra care this June bank holiday.”
 

The Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly TD, said:-
 

"Our hospitals provide excellent care and we have excellent staff who save lives every day.  We are improving patient safety standards every day.  But that is no consolation for the families of those who die in road traffic collisions or those who survive but with serious or traumatic injuries.  Driving safely and within the speed limits reduces the demands on our emergency services and improves public health generally. Safer driving on our roads encourages more people to walk or cycle and this leads to improved health and wellbeing and an improved environment.  So I would encourage everyone to think of your health this weekend - and beyond - and "slow down".
 

Note to Editors
 

This initiative aims to raise general awareness of speeding and will encourage drivers to reduce speed at all times, not just for the 24 hour period of this initiative. To achieve a permanent change of driver behaviour a small reduction in speed will save lives. We are identifying this 24 hour period and notifying the public that Garda speed detection activity will be intense. We are asking drivers to respond by strictly keeping to the speed limits and reducing their speed in adverse road, weather or traffic conditions. 

Road Deaths by Day of Week – 2013 to date <_o3a_p>

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