Garda checkpoints will be mounted throughout the country on Thursday as Gardai, and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) launch their June Bank Holiday ‘Slow Down Day’ targeting speeding drivers.
The RSA and gardai have urged drivers to slow down and always choose an appropriate speed to the driving conditions.
The national speed enforcement operation will be in place for 24 hours from 7am Thursday to 7am Friday.
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They will also be focusing on enforcement of speed limits and other life saver offences over the June Bank Holiday Weekend.
The preliminary results of a new RSA pilot study on speeding on urban roads in 2021 has shown that over three quarters (78%) of drivers observed were found to have driven in excess of the posted speed limit of 50km/h.
The study, which included over 5,000 observations of vehicles in October 2021, found that when viewed from a weekday perspective, 75% of observed drivers were driving more than 50km/h.
At the weekend, 93% of observed drivers broke the speed limit and over half of the drivers were observed driving at speeds of 10km/h or higher in 50km/h speed zones.
Separately, an analysis of coronial data for 2013-2017 found that a quarter (25%) of driver fatalities, with a record of their actions available, exceeded a safe speed in the lead-up to the fatal collision.
To date, in 2022, there have been 70 fatalities on the road. This is an increase of 26 deaths compared to the same date last year.
Speaking at the launch Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Ms Hildegarde Naughton, said: “The number of drivers observed speeding in the RSA’s recent study in 50km/h zones is very concerning. These are speed zones that are rich in pedestrians and cyclists, vulnerable road users.
“Reducing the risk posed to vulnerable road users in these speed zones and encouraging safer, greener active travel is one of the key priorities of the new Government Road Safety Strategy.
“For example, we are reviewing speed limits and examining the possibility of a greater roll-out of 30km/h speed zones, as well as conducting a review of penalties related to speeding. New in vehicle safety assist technology such as Intelligent Speed Assistance and the roll out of average speed cameras will also contribute to preventing speed related harm.
“While all these actions are important to reducing speeding on our roads, it is important to remember that we all have a shared responsibility as individuals and a society to slow down to and protect ourselves and other road users.”
Highlighting the dangers of speed-related collisions on rural roads, Ms Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson Road Safety Authority, said: “The faster you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in a collision which could result in death or serious injury. I am appealing to drivers to slow down and drive at a speed that is appropriate for the conditions.
“It is important to acknowledge that most drivers do the right thing and drive at an appropriate speed. However, there are some drivers who continually ignore our speed limits and put themselves and others at risk. This is particularly dangerous on higher speed rural roads which are often narrow, and where bends and corners can restrict a driver’s vision.
“Just over three quarters (77%) of driver fatalities who were speeding occurred on rural roadsϮ. There are no margins for error on these roads which is why drivers need to slow down when using them. By slowing down you give yourself time and space to react to something unexpected around the next corner, like a tractor emerging from a field or a group of cyclists.”
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