Motorists urged to support initiative targeting speed

Slow Down Day Campaign takes place this Friday

An Garda Síochána is calling on all motorists to support this Friday’s 24-hour nationwide operation targeting speed, known as ‘Slow Down Day’ to make Irish roads safer for all road users.

The aim of the operation, which is supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), is to promote safer driving behaviour among motorists and to encourage all of society to work with us to help prevent road traffic collisions, and to ultimately keep communities safe.

While Gardaí are out nationwide each day detecting and preventing speeding and other road traffic offences, An Garda Síochána’s ‘Slow Down Day’ is part of its overarching strategic plan to improve driving behaviour and promote safer driving practices in an effort to reduce the number of speed related collisions and save lives.

The operation will centre on high visibility speed enforcement activity across Ireland’s road network. An Garda Síochána will also utilise broadcast and print media as well as its social media platforms to spread the important, life-saving message among people of driving safely.

Just four months into 2024, already 63 people have been killed on roads in Ireland. That is 14 more lives lost than on this same day last year. This is a worryingly high number that must be prevented from rising further by working together to keep road users safe.

In advance of Friday’s National Slow Down Day, An Garda Síochána is appealing to the management and supervisors working in both public and private sector fleet operators to please speak with their drivers about complying with speed restrictions.

An Garda Síochána is asking all local authorities and Government departments, businesses, schools and third level institutions across the country to please support Friday’s operation, and help Gardaí to spread the message among staff and customers to please slow down while driving.