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During the National Slow Down Day, observed from 7:00 AM on April 19th to 7:00 AM on April 20th, 2024, An Garda Síochána, in partnership with GoSafe, recorded a staggering 755 instances of speeding across Ireland. This initiative, endorsed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), aimed to reinforce the importance of adhering to speed limits to enhance road safety and prevent traffic collisions.

GoSafe, responsible for operating speed cameras, monitored the speeds of 163,146 vehicles during the 24-hour period, identifying 225 vehicles exceeding the set speed limits. Meanwhile, Gardaí stationed at high-visibility locations managed to intercept an additional 530 vehicles, culminating in a total of 755 speed violations.

Noteworthy Speed Violations in Cork

Among the most alarming cases was a motorist caught driving at a perilous speed of 194km/h on the N25 in Loughaderry, Castlemartyr, Cork, nearly doubling the designated speed limit of 100km/h. This incident marked the highest speed recorded during this enforcement period and underscores a reckless disregard for both legal boundaries and public safety.

Another significant violation in Cork involved a driver speeding at 112km/h in a 50km/h zone on Main Street, Charleville. Such speeds not only endanger the driver but also pose a severe risk to pedestrians and other road users, particularly in urban areas where foot traffic is prevalent.

Widespread Non-compliance

The speeding issue was not isolated to Cork, as other regions also reported severe breaches:

• 132km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N13 Teevickmoy, Stranorlar, Donegal.
• 127km/h in a 100km/h zone on both the N13 Listellian, Letterkenny, Donegal, and the N2 Annamarran, Carrickmacross, Monaghan.

Lesser but still dangerous overspeeding was noted across various highways and local roads, indicating a broad problem of non-compliance with speed limits throughout the country.

Gardaí’s Appeal and Community Safety

An Garda Síochána continues to urge drivers to observe speed limits rigorously. This plea aligns with ongoing efforts to decrease speed-related accidents, thus reducing injuries and fatalities on Irish roads. Compliance with these limits is not just a legal obligation but a moral one, aiming to safeguard all community members from the avoidable risks posed by speeding.

National Slow Down Day serves as a reminder of the critical role speed limits play in road safety. By adhering to these limits, drivers contribute significantly to the prevention of accidents and the creation of a safer driving environment for everyone. As part of the broader “Be Safe” campaign, both An Garda Síochána and the RSA are intensifying their educational and enforcement measures to instill responsible driving habits among Irish motorists.

Moving Forward

In light of these findings, there will likely be an increased focus on speeding areas identified as high risk, including enhanced monitoring and stricter penalties for violators to reinforce the seriousness of these infractions. The goal remains clear: to ensure that speed limits are respected not just as legal requirements but as fundamental to the preservation of life and the well-being of all road users.