Gardaí has called on motorists to obey speed limits after detecting 270 vehicles exceeding the speed limit in force so far.
As part of Operation Slow Down, which is supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), speed traps will be in place for 24 hours until 7am tomorrow night, Christmas Eve.
The call was made to reduce speed-related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.
In the first five hours of the 24-hour National Slow Down Day, GoSafe monitored the speed of 68,326 vehicles and detected 270 vehicles exceeding the applicable speed limit.
This initiative highlights the dangers of speeding with the aim of improving speed limit compliance, deterring motorists from driving at excessive or inappropriate speeds and ultimately reducing the number of serious road accidents, particularly during this Christmas and New Year period.
So far this year, 156 people have lost their lives on Ireland’s roads. This is 28 more than on this day last year.
There have been some 1,172 serious collisions resulting in injuries, often life-changing.
Examples of motorists endangering themselves and others include a driver traveling at 88 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on Coolock Lane, Dublin 17, another driving at 135 km/h in an 80 km/h /h zone on the N4 Ballydowd, Lucan, 76km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N6 in Galway, 136km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M6 in Westmeath.
Motorists have also been caught driving under the speed limit, including one motorist driving 89km/h in a 100km/h car on the N80 Craan Kildavin, in Carlow and another driving 88km/h in a 100km/h u zone on the N13 Moness. Bert, Donegal.
The Assistant Commissioner of Roads Policing & Community Engagement said today’s ongoing Operation Slow Down “is not about Gardaí wanting to detect speed and issue fines, but about saving lives, because reducing the speed of motorists is essential to improve road safety”.
Paula Hilman said: “We know from our enforcement activities that motorists continue to drive recklessly at speeds significantly above posted speed limits.”
“This poses a serious risk not only to themselves and their passengers, but to all road users, especially vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.
“I appeal to all road users to support us in our efforts to keep people safe on our roads. Our message is clear: check your speed regularly, drive safely and slow down.”
The CEO of the Road Safety Authority urged people to plan their Christmas trips in advance and exercise caution.
Sam Waide said: “The roads will be very busy for the next few days with people traveling for Christmas and New Year. Busy roads may mean it takes longer to get to your destination.”
“My advice is to plan ahead, leave earlier if you’re on a long journey, take regular breaks to avoid driver fatigue and slow down. Remember that the time you gain from speeding is minimal, so do not endanger yourself or others.
“Between December 24 and December 31 last year, nine people were killed and another 30 people were seriously injured in traffic accidents. Let’s make sure there are no more families in mourning. Together we can ensure that all road users get home safely this Christmas.”