Update - National Slow Down Day 21st/22nd October 2016

Vehicles checked and detected on the 21st October 2016

As part of National Slow down Day since 7am this morning, 21st October 2016 Gardaí and Go Safe have checked a total of 85,434 vehicles with 191 of these detected travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.
 
An Garda Síochána would like to thank the 85,243 vehicles who were using Irish roads today and were complying with speed limits. We would encourage all drivers to comply with and respect speed limits and drive safely.
 
See some notable recent detections:
 
•        139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N5 at Drummindoo Westport Mayo
•        130 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N25 at Loughaderry Midleton Cork
•        129 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N13 Treantaboy Drumkeen Donegal
•        83 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the N69  Billeragh Listowel Kerry
•        69 km/h on a 50 km/h zone on the R712 Pennefatherslot Kilkenny Kilkenny
•        107 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the R498 Fishmoyne Borrisoleigh Tipperary
•        89 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the L3042 Fortyacres Piercetown Wexford
•        88 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the R586 Murragh Enniskeane Cork
•        65km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N80 Newtownbarry Bunclody Wexford
•        62 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on the R245 at Ballyraine Letterkenny Donegal
•        108 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the R458 at Ballyconneely Newmarket On Fergus Clare
•        139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N24 at Whitehall Limerick Limerick
•        130 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N25 at Ballyadam Cork Cork
 
 
Garda Press Office 


GARDAI URGE MOTORISTS TO TAKE PART IN #SLOWDOWNDAY TOMORROW

Primary schools competition also launched as part of initiative.

Motorists across the country are being urged by the Gardaí to play their part in ‘National Slow Down Day’ which takes place tomorrow.
 
The initiative will see An Garda Síochána conduct a major speed enforcement operation all across the country in a bid to reduce speed-related collisions and injuries.

Gardaí are warning motorists to slow down and not to speed on the roads tomorrow.

Slow Down Day will run from 7am on Friday until 7am on Saturday, and consist of high-visibility Garda activities in all 1,031 speed enforcement zones. Updates will be available throughout the day using #slowdownday. 

Speaking in advance of Slow Down Day, Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid of the Roads Policing Bureau said: "The aim of Slow Down Day is to remind motorists the dangers of speeding, to increase compliance with speed limits and to deter them from driving at excessive speeds. We will be activating a major speed enforcement operation in counties across Ireland tomorrow and as part of this we are urging all road users to join us in reducing speed and making our roads safe.

"There has been a significant increase in road deaths this year compared to 2015 and unfortunately, excessive speed is a major contributory factor in the majority these. This is not just a catchphrase, but a stark fact proven by the analysis of four years of fatal collision reports. The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood of a collision happen and the more severe outcome of that collision. Recognising this fact will not only protect you, but all those who share the road with you. It is everyone’s responsibility to act safe.

"As a general rule, a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 4% reduction in fatal collisions. With this in mind, we are urging every road user to please play their part in reducing speed and risk on the roads tomorrow. Of course, this is a message we would advise people to heed every day of the year, not just Slow Down Day.”

Gardaí have also launched a nationwide primary school competition as part of the initiative, in which young pupils are being urged to ‘name the newest Garda member’. It will run until the end of October and more information can be found on the Garda Facebook page.

Superintendent Reid added "All primary schoolchildren have been notified of a competition to win a visit by the Garda band to their school by creating their own road safety poster, poem or song. They are also being asked to name the newest Garda member, suggestions for which are already available to see on our Facebook page.

Already we have had some fantastic submissions, from Garda CopOn McSlowdown to Garda Dee Celerate to Garda Teddy McSteady. Keep them coming!” See more examples by clicking here - https://www.facebook.com/angardasiochana/

Schoolchildren are also being encouraged as part of Slow Down Day to engage with Gardaí online by posing questions through the @gardatraffic twitter page and An Garda Síochána Facebook.

The ‘slow down’ message will also be promoted by Gardaí tomorrow through a public awareness campaign involving national, local and social media. In addition, Garda personnel will be out and about in their local communities tomorrow sharing advice on road safety and good road behaviour with local people.

National Slow Down Day is a joint initiative of An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority and various stakeholders. 

Supt. Reid will be available for interviews tomorrow between 10am and 12pm, email pressoffice@garda.ie to arrange same.
 
Note:

See below fresh data outlining the top speeds detected per county over the past 7 days. Speeds of note include: 

• 100km/h limit: Highest speed over the past 7 days was 190 km/h on the N15 Cloghfin Castlefinn Donegal with a similar speed on the N52 Gorteen Mullingar Westmeath

• 80 km/h limit:  Highest speed was 149 km/h on an 80km/h zone - R733 Tracystown East Cleariestown Wexford

• 60 km/h limit:  Highest speed was 107km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N81 Glenaraneen Brittas Dublin

• 50 km/h limit: Highest speed was 101 km/h on the R448 Kilcullenbridge Kilcullen Kildare