LAST UPDATE | 9 Apr 2025

SOME 671 MOTORISTS have been detected speeding so far on the second National Slow Down Day of the year.

Gardaí, in partnership with the RSA and other stakeholders, are conducting the national speed enforcement operation and are asking drivers to slow down while more pedestrians and cyclists are on the roads as the days get longer. 

“In advance of this National Slow Down Day we are asking people to have a conversation with those around you about speed, driving safely and helping to make sure everyone using Irish roads arrives back home safely,” An Garda Síochána said in a statement.

So far, members of An Garda Síochána, along with GoSafe Mobile and Static Safety Cameras, have detected of 671 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

Notable high speeds detected includes a vehicle on the M7 in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, which was clocked at 153km/h in 120km/h Zone on the M7.

Elsewhere, a vehicle was clocked at 144km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N11 in Newcastle, Co Wicklow. On the N18 in Bunratty, Co Clare, one motorist was detected travelling at 129km/h in a 100km/h zone

Another motorist was detected at 110km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R445 in Portlaoise, Co Laois, while a driver was clocked at 141km/h in 100km/h Zone on the N67 in Co Galway.

Gardaí have stressed that the faster a car is moving during a collision, the more likely it is to result in death or serious injuries: “Statistically, one in ten pedestrians hit by car travelling at 30km/h will die of their injuries.

“Five in ten of those out walking and struck by a car travelling 50km/h will be killed, and a car being driven at 60km/h and hits a pedestrian as a nine in ten chance of the collision being fatal.”

This year, more than 32,880 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to motorists for speeding, which amounts to more than 335 people per day.

Chief Superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Jane Humphries said: “Our 24-hour targeted initiative is aimed at getting people to talk about their driving behaviour. 

“We are asking that you chat to family, friends, colleague’s even neighbours – please remind them to slow down, drive safely and without distraction.”