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AN Garda Síochána will conduct an intensive national speed enforcement operation for a 24 hour period from 07.00 hrs on Friday to 07.00 hrs on Saturday.
The objective of operation “Slow Down”, supported by the Road Safety Authority, is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.
The aim is to get drivers to slow down by reminding them of the dangers of speeding, increasing compliance with speed limits and acting as a deterrent to driving at excessive and inappropriate speed.
The operation will consist of Garda high visibility speed enforcement activities on both national primary and secondary roads. All speed enforcement technologies will be utilised, including all laser handheld speed detection devices, Garda safety camera vans and in-car speed detection systems.
GoSafe vehicles will also be deployed on the day in speed enforcement zones where serious and fatal injury collisions have occurred. (All 727 speed enforcement zones are available on the Garda website).
In addition to enforcement, the Garda website and in particular social media sites will be actively used to promote this initiative.
Last year saw another increase in road deaths, resulting in 195 fatalities. Excessive or inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor to road traffic collisions. The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood is of a collision happening and the more severe the outcome of that collision.
As a general rule a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 2% reduction in minor injury collisions, a 3% reduction in serious injury collisions and a 4% reduction in fatal collisions. This is why reducing motorists’ speed is essential to improving road safety.
Public and private sector fleet operators have been invited to participate in the initiative by circulating employees with the key message to “Slow Down” and, whether driving for business or private purposes, to always drive within the speed limit and at a speed appropriate to the prevailing conditions.
The public can play their part by slowing down and showing support via the Garda facebook page but also reducing speed.
