More than 600 drivers caught speeding on National Slow Down Day
Mitchelstown Garda Jim Picture: Coughlan Peter Roads O'loughlin, Policing
Over 600 drivers were clocked speeding during National Slow Down Day, with one caught driving 136km/h in a 100km/h zone in Co Limerick.
During the operation, 630 drivers were caught driving in excess of the applicable speed limit, while 281 drivers were intercepted by Gardaí.
Drivers are being urged to be mindful of slowing down, especially over the busy Christmas period.
"While this is a welcome reduction on detection rates during previous National Slow Down Days and An Garda Síochána appreciates the public’s role in this, we continue to ask that drivers are mindful of the need to slow down especially over the busy Christmas period," said a Garda spokesperson.
On the N18, one driver was caught driving at 136km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N18 Ballinacurra Weston, Co. Limerick.
Another driver was detected speeding at 73km/h in a 50km/h zone on Pontoon Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo.
Ahead of this weekend, Taoiseach Simon Harris called on road users to take extra precaution this Christmas while driving following a tragic year on Irish roads.
According to the latest Garda numbers, 168 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, 67 of whom were drivers, 35 who were passengers, 33 pedestrians, 17 motorcyclists, 11 cyclists, four people on e-scooters and one person classed as pillion passenger/other.
The total is a slight reduction on last year, when there were 179 road deaths by December 20 2023.
“One road fatality is one too many. Sadly, there are too many dinner tables this Christmas that will have an empty seat,” Mr Harris said.
“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.”