Garda National Traffic Bureau/ RSA Easter Bank Holiday Period
- Nearly 45,000 fixed charged notices were issued for speeding January –March this year, an increase of 16% compared to 2013 figures
- 91% of drivers detected travelling 10 km/h or more above the speed limit including 11% for speeds in excess of 30 km/h above the speed limit
- 50km/h zones worst for speeding offences
- 14 road fatalities and 34 people seriously injured over the Easter Bank Holiday period since 2009
- Excessive or inappropriate speed remains a significant contributory factor in road traffic collisions
- A series of targeted, high visibility checkpoints in place in each Garda Division from April 14th to April 21st
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have today (15th April 2014) urged drivers and riders to slow down this Easter Bank Holiday as new figures show that nearly 45,000* fixed charge notices have been issued for speeding from January to March this year, an increase of 16.8% compared to the first 3 months of 2013 (44,753 v 38,313). From April 14th to April 21st, An Garda Síochána will be intensively target speeding vehicles.
While the majority of drivers and riders drive safely and within applicable speed limits, there are however many who do not. From 1st January -31st March this year, provisional figures indicate that a total of 44,753* fixed charge notices were issued for speeding.
On examination, the following results were found:-
• 9% of detections were made between 1 – 9 km/h above the posted speed limit
• 80% 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
Over the Easter period each Garda Division will carry out a series of targeted, high visibility checkpoints focussing on speeding and roads policing enforcement. These will incorporate both Divisional and District personnel, including Traffic Corps members. This high visibility enforcement activity aims to modify driver behaviour, identify breaches of all road traffic legislation and make the roads safer for all. The GoSafe network of safety cameras will also be deployed.
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, Garda National Traffic Bureau, speaking today said:-
"Three people lost their lives over the Easter Bank Holiday in 2013. We can and must be safer on the roads and avoid this being replicated this Bank Holiday, a time when many people will travel to various parts of the country. Excessive or inappropriate speed is a significant factor in road traffic collisions so this week we are targeting those who fail to recognise this vital life saving fact .I’d like to thank those who drive responsibly however the increase in detections to date for speeding, whilst it shows significant roads policing activity, also shows that many drivers still refuse to abide by posted speed limit signs, sometimes by a very significant margin.”
Assistant Commissioner Twomey continued:-
"To date in 2014 we have detected drivers travelling at two and almost three times the posted speed limit, on roads which you and I share. The damage caused in the event of a collision in these circumstances is immense, and most likely fatal. Please recognise this fact before it’s too late. Excessive or inappropriate speed causes devastation on our roads-there is no other way to put it. This high risk behaviour will continue to be intensively targeted and needs to change”
Mr. Michael Rowland, Director Road Safety Research & Driver Education said:-
"While it is very disappointing to see so many drivers being detected for speeding offences it really does hammer home the fact that the Gardai are out in force targeting this killer behaviour. We simply must understand that a car at any speed is a lethal weapon. This is simply the laws of physics. It’s also very worrying to see that nearly half of all speeding detections being made are in 50 km/h zones. Roads which are associated with higher levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity. If hit by a car at 60 km/h nine out of ten pedestrians will die so what a driver thinks are small margins above the speed limit could be the difference between life and death for a vulnerable road user.”
* Figures are provisional, operational and subject to change.
Note to Editors
2013 saw the first increase in road deaths year on year since 2006. As of the 15th April 2014, there have been 50 fatalities on our roads. 190 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2013, an increase of 28 on 2012 year end figures. To date in 2014, two thirds (68%) of fatalities have been a driver, passenger or a motorcyclist. 26% of fatalities have occurred on a Thursday alone.
These initiatives aim to raise general awareness of speeding and will encourage drivers to reduce speed at all times. A small reduction in speed will save lives. We are notifying the public that over the Easter period, Garda speed detection and enforcement activity will be intense. We are asking drivers to respond by strictly keeping to the speed limits and reducing their speed in adverse road, weather or traffic conditions.
A total of 44,753 speeding fixed charge notices were examined for the detected speed of the offending motorist for the period 1st January to 31st March 2014.
Overall 9% of detections were made 0 – 9 km/h above the posted speed limit. The vast majority of detections (80%) 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.
** Tipperary currently has 11 road deaths to date, the highest number of fatalities of all counties. Hereunder are some of the initiatives/ operations currently in action to address this trend.
• Launch of Operation Focus in the South Eastern Region there for the month of April.
• A Pedestrian safety awareness operation was conducted on 5th April
• Commercial vehicle operations were conducted from 7th to 11th April
• Operation Bank Holiday planned for 18th to 21st April
• A 2 day mobile phone operation on a specific date in April.
• Operation Surround (Mandatory Alcohol Testing) on 20th April.
• Extended Operation Surrounds in Nenagh, Thurles and Carrick on Suir.
• Additional Garda Robot van on issue to County for two months.
• Meetings have taken place with Senior Roads Engineers and NRA for North and South Tipperary plus the RSA.
• Additional Traffic Patrols in North of Tipperary by Kilkenny Traffic and in South/West Of County by Dungarvan Traffic
• Media strategy in place in conjunction with Tipp FM both news and chat show in addition to local print media.
Enforcement is high in Tipperary - hereunder enforcement for the year to date when compared to 2013.
Tipperary Division - Summary Year to Date
Offence Category YTD%
Drink Driving Detections +29.80%
MAT Checkpoints +6.10%
Intercept Speed +35%
Seat Belts +129%
Mobile Phones +98%
# Further Statistics are available here
