An Garda Síochána will conduct an intensive national speed enforcement operation for a 24 hour period from 07.00 hrs on Friday 28th to 07.00 hrs on Saturday 29th August 2015. This national "Slow Down” day, is supported by the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders.
The objective of operation "Slow Down” 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.
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 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.
The public can play their part by slowing down and showing support via the Garda facebook page but also reducing speed. An accompanying poster in both English and Irish is provided to download, print and distribute.
Superintendent Con O’ Donohue, Garda National Traffic Bureau said today:-
"Although fewer people have lost their lives on our roads this year compared to last year, we can never afford to be complacent and say the job is done. A significant number of people still drive too fast at times. The "Slow Down” day has a simple aim, to get people to slow down. This will reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.”
An Garda Síochana is highlighting this safety initiative heavily through social media. Both the Facebook and Twitter feeds have a massive following.
Superintendent O’ Donohue continued:-
"We urge any person, company or organisation who wants to show support for our "Slow Down” day to send us photos, for example a thumbs up standing beside your car. It’s a novel way of getting people talking and thinking about road safety and what we can do to make the roads safer for all. A dedicated email address has been created supportslowdown@garda.ie, or people can post them directly to our social media accounts”. (A number of images are available from the Garda Press Office).
Superintendent O’ Donohue concluded:-
"Excessive or inappropriate speed causes death and injury on our roads, and remains the primary contributory cause of road traffic collisions. Slowing down keeps you and others around you safe on our roads, and although this is a targeted 24 hour operation, we appeal to drivers to always abide by this advice – slow down, save lives.”
Notes:
Superintendent O’ Donohue will be available for interview from 3-4pm Thursday 27th August by contacting the Garda Press Office at pressoffice@garda.ieto arrange same.
A photo opportunity will be available at a speed checkpoint on Conyngham Road, Dublin 8 at 11.30am on Friday 28th August. Superintendent O’ Donohue will be present and provide an update on the Operation. Contact the Garda Press Office at pressoffice@garda.ieto arrange same.
A recent analysis of speeding offences revealed the following:-
• 90% of detections were more than 10km/h over the speed limit.
• 10% of detections were made between 1 – 9 km/h above the posted speed limit
• 79% were made between 10 and 29 km/h above the posted speed limit
• 11% of detections were for speeds in excess of 30 km/h above the limit
• 50km/ zones worst for speeding offences, nearly half of all speeding offences in this zone.”
To date 106 people have been killed on Irish roads, 21 fewer than this date in 2014.
108,971 speeding fixed charge notices issued, as of 30th June 2015.
