LAST UPDATE | 20 Dec 2024

SOME 75 VEHICLES have been detected breaking the speed limit within the first five hours of National Slow Down Day.

Today is An Garda Síochána’s final Slow Down Day of the year, which began at 7am and will run until 7am tomorrow morning.

Gardaí are appealing to all those that will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.

In the first five hours of today’s Slow Down Day, GoSafe checked the speeds of close to 36,000 vehicles, with 75 travelling in excess of the speed limit.

Some notable examples include a motorist who was clocked doing 136km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N18 Ballinacurra in Limerick.

In Co Monaghan, a vehicle was detected travelling at 67km/h in a 50km/h Zone on the R188 in Drumbear.

While in Co Waterford, a vehicle was spotted doing 122km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R680 Butlerstown, North Waterford.

These figures are based on GoSafe detections only, and will become higher with An Garda Síochána personnel detections, which are not available at the moment.

It comes as Taoiseach Simon Harris urged road users to be extra cautious this Christmas, after a year of tragedies on Irish roads.

Road deaths have been on the rise, with 167 people losing their lives so far in 2024.

Among them were 67 drivers, 36 passengers, 33 pedestrians, 17 motorcyclists, 10 cyclists and 4 people on e-scooters.

“One road fatality is one too many. Sadly, there are too many dinner tables this Christmas that will have an empty seat,” Harris said in a statement.

“As many people travel across the country in the coming days, I am urging drivers to take extra care on the roads and to prioritise safety when travelling to reunite with family and friends.”

“Please obey speed limits, wear seatbelts and do not take chances on the roads. It is not worth the risk of significant injury or worse, the loss of life.”

Speeding is considered one of the most dangerous driving practices because the faster the speed the more severe the impact and the deadlier the consequences.

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 at 50km/h will be killed, while there is a 90% chance of a collision with a pedestrian being fatal when the car is driven at 60km/h.

So far this year, more than 150,000 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to motorists for speeding – the equivalent of 475 people every day.

Harris also “pleaded with road users not to use mobile phones while driving and to avoid any distractions and do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

He also noted that “pedestrian and cyclist safety is another key consideration this Christmas”.

“Please wear helmets and high-visibility clothing and lighting so drivers are alerted to your presence on the road,” said Harris.

“Ultimately, road safety is a shared responsibility, and everyone must work together to create a safer road environment through cautious driving, adherence to the rules and respect for others on the road,” the Taoiseach concluded.