Gardaí will carry out a 24-hour nationwide speed enforcement operation on Monday, 31st August as part of National Slow Down Day.
The operation, being carried out by An Garda Síochána in partnership with the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, will run from midnight on Sunday into Monday.
This year’s operation coincides with the first full week of schools reopening across the country, when higher volumes of traffic are expected on the roads.
As part of the initiative, Gardaí say there will be a particular focus on traffic activity around schools at opening and closing times.
Focus on speeding as schools reopen
National Slow Down Day is designed to raise awareness of the dangers associated with excessive or inappropriate speed and encourage motorists to comply with speed limits.
Gardaí are warning that increased traffic volumes can bring a higher risk of serious and fatal collisions, particularly where vulnerable road users such as children and pedestrians are present.
Drivers are being reminded that travelling above the legal speed limit, or at a speed unsuitable for road, weather or traffic conditions, reduces the time available to react to unexpected hazards.
It can also increase the severity of any collision.
For motorists across Drogheda, Louth and Meath, Gardaí are asking drivers to take particular care around schools as pupils return for the new term.
Nationwide enforcement operation
An Garda Síochána carries out a number of high-profile National Slow Down Days each year as part of its wider road safety enforcement work.
The operations are intended to remind motorists of the risks associated with speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and deter dangerous driving.
Recent Garda road safety operations have continued to focus heavily on speeding, along with drink and drug driving, mobile phone use and seatbelt offences.
During the August Bank Holiday roads policing operation, Gardaí detected thousands of speeding offences nationwide, underlining the level of non-compliance still being recorded on Irish roads.
Motorists urged to take extra care
Gardaí say excessive speed not only places the driver at risk but can have serious consequences for passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.
The faster a vehicle is travelling, the greater the force of impact if a collision occurs.
National Slow Down Day will run for the full 24 hours of Monday, 31st August, with speed enforcement taking place nationwide.
Drivers are being asked to slow down, obey posted limits and adjust their speed to suit road and traffic conditions throughout the day.
