Operation Slow Down Day underway

A NATIONAL 24-hour Slow Day Day is in operation on Irish roads until 7am on Tuesday, September 5.

An Garda Siochana, supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) started Slow Down Day at 7am this morning – with the operation running until 7am tomorrow. 

According to a statement released by An Garda Siochana, the aim of the day is to “remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, to increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed”.

Monday, September 4, also coincides with the full return of schools and the related increase in roads users, particularly vulnerable road users, pedestrians, pedal cyclists and specifically younger road users.

There have been 127 deaths on Irish roads to date in 2023.

According to information released, there have been 23 more deaths so far this year when compared to the same period in 2022 and 38 more deaths when compared with the same period in 2019.

One in three (43) of all deaths to date in 2023 were young people under the age of 25.

Approximately one in four (29) of all deaths to date in 2023 were pedestrians while around one in four (30) were passengers in vehicles.

Garda said that one in 5 (25) of all deaths so far this year took place in the month of August.

All drivers on all roads are asked to ‘play their part’ in road safety (Image/File)

Gardai carry out a number of high profile Slow Down days each year, in support of daily speed enforcement operations.

However, with the “alarming increase in the number of road fatalities on Irish roads this year, and in recent months, operation Slow Down has taken on increased urgency and relevance”, gardai said.

Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said: “The trauma on our roads so far in 2023 is and will have lasting impacts on families and communities. 

“An Garda Siochana continues to carry out speed enforcement across our roads. 

“Every driver has a personal responsibility to not only drive within the posted speed limit but also to drive at a speed appropriate to the conditions. 

“Speeding is reckless, not just to the motorists themselves and their passengers, but to all road users, especially vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.

“This is not just about speeding enforcement detections. It’s about saving lives.”

She added: “I’m appealing to all road users to support us in our efforts to keep everybody safe on our roads. 

“Please slow down, check your speed, drive safely, not only on National Slow Down Day, but every day”.

Every driver asked to ‘play their part’

An Garda Siochana is appealing to all drivers to support operation Slow Down this Monday, whether on a personal journey, commuting to work or driving for work – every driver is asked to play their play their part.

The greater the speed, even within posted speed limits, the greater the likelihood is of a collision happening and the bigger the impact and severe the outcome for those involved in a road traffic collision, gardai said in its Slow Down statement.

A pedestrian or cyclist involved in a road traffic collision with a vehicle travelling at 50 km/h has a 50 per cent chance of living.

A pedestrian or cyclist involved in a road traffic collision with a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h has only a 10 per cent chance of living.