Gardaí are out in force on the roads today for a ‘slow down’ day to promote road safety.
Extra speed checks are being conducted across Donegal and nationwide for a 24 hour period from 7am this morning until 7am Tuesday.
To date, there have been 127 deaths on Irish roads in 2023.
This is 23 more than the same period in 2022.
The aim of aim of “Slow Down day” is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, to increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at an excessive or inappropriate speed.
Operation ‘Slow Down’ on Monday the 4th September was picked to coincide with the full return of all schools and the related increase in roads users, particularly vulnerable road users, pedestrians, pedal cyclists and specifically younger road users.
However with the alarming increase in the number of Road Fatalities on Irish Roads this year, and in recent months, Operation ‘Slow Down’ has taken on increased urgency and relevance.
Approximately in 4 (29) of all deaths (to date in 2023) on Irish roads were pedestrians.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to all drivers to support Operation ‘Slow Down’ this Monday 4th September, whether using your vehicle for a personal journey, commuting to work or driving for work. Every driver can play their part.
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said: “The trauma on our roads so far in 2023 is and will have lasting impacts on families and communities. An Garda Síochána continues to carry out speed enforcement across our roads. Every driver has a personal responsibility to not only drive within the posted speed limit but also to drive at a speed appropriate to the conditions. Speeding is reckless, not just to the motorists themselves and their passengers, but to all road users, especially vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. This is not just about speeding enforcement detections. It’s about saving lives”.
