Gardaí catch speeding motorist in Cork during National Slow Down Day

Gardaí across the country carried out a high-profile 24-hour speed enforcement operation, part of National Slow Down Day, to coincide with the first full week of schools being back after the summer holidays.

The initiative, run by An Garda Síochána in partnership with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders, ran from midnight on Sunday night and ran until midnight last night.

Gardaí conduct several high-profile National Slow Down Days every year, aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of speeding.

Examples of the high speeds detected yesterday include a motorist travelling at 78km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R639 in Glanmire.

Serious risks 

The operations are intended to remind motorists of the serious risks associated with excessive or inappropriate speed, to promote greater compliance with speed limits, and to support efforts to deter and detect dangerous driving behaviours.

An Garda Síochána points out that driving above the legal speed limit — or at a speed unsuitable for current road, weather or traffic conditions — not only endangers the driver but also puts other road users at significant risk.

Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to respond to unexpected hazards and increases the likelihood of their losing control, which can have serious or even fatal collisions.

Speeding can have devastating consequences, not just for the driver, but for other road users who might be innocent of any wrongdoing. The faster a vehicle is travelling, the more severe the impact in a collision.

National Slow Down Day saw members of An Garda Síochána conducting speed checks on roads right across the country.

During Slow Down days, drivers are urged to slow down and to remember to be aware of road conditions and the behaviour of other motorists at all times.