Issue Date: 1st September 2024
An Garda Síochána will conduct a 24hr national speed enforcement operation, "Slow Down” supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders tomorrow, Monday 2nd September 2024.
An Garda Síochána conducts a number of high profile National Slow Down days every year. The aim of National Slow Down Day is to remind motorists of the dangers of speeding, to increase overall compliance with speed limits in place nationwide and to deter those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.
As summer draws to a close, seasonal weather changes creep in and we look to shorter, darker evenings ahead; driving conditions will become more challenging. With the return of schools across the country, additional traffic will be on the roads, in particular younger vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and school buses dropping and collecting school children.
It is important to remember that no matter how good the road and weather conditions are, any increase in speed will significantly increase the likelihood of being involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision.
Last year, saw an increase in fatal road traffic collisions, with a total of 184 people losing their lives in 173 fatal collisions. This compares to 154 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022 – a 19% increase on 2022.
Up to end of June 2024 over 70,000 fixed charge notices had been issued to drivers driving in excess of the speed limit, over 375 drivers every day (Garda and GoSafe detections)
Speeding not only puts you at risk but also endangers the lives of others around you. Every time you speed, there is an increase in the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle, which could lead to a serious or fatal accident.
The consequences of speeding can be devastating, not only for yourself but for other innocent people on the road.
Background:
National Slow Down Day encourages a conversation on speed and road safety. Conversations on road safety should not only take place in the aftermath of fatal road traffic collisions, this is too late; These conversations should take place every day.
Up to end of June 2024 An Garda Síochána has issued a FCN/penalty points for speeding to over 375 drivers every day (in excess of 70,000 fixed charge notices) (Garda and GoSafe detections)
Speeding while driving is one of the most dangerous driving practices there are.
The faster the speed > the more severe the impact > the deadlier the consequences.
Inappropriate speed (for prevailing weather/traffic/road conditions) is a problem as much as exceeding the speed limit.
Pedestrians hit by car
At 30 km/h – 1 in 10 will die
At 50 km/h – 5 in 10 will die
At 60 km/h – 9 in 10 will die
An Garda Síochána remains committed to improving road safety on our roads. An Garda Síochána alone will not stop all fatal road traffic collisions.
An Garda Síochána continues to actively work with relevant partners as per the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030 ‘a strategic, coordinated and multi-sectoral approach to road safety across government and key stakeholders will be critical to achieving a safer, better Ireland for all’.
This involves approximately 180 measures for delivery by all partners to the Strategy across areas such as education, technology, information sharing, legislation, roads infrastructure and enforcement.
National Slow Down Day is supported by and supports the Road Safety Authorities campaigns such as:
Speed Fallacy (rsa.ie)
Male drivers (rsa.ie)
Anti-speeding campaign by the Road Safety Authority (RSA)
Time to Talk (rsa.ie)
Lose Your Licence, Lose Your Independence (rsa.ie)
