National 'Slow Down' Day Announced For 27 May

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have announced National 'Slow Down' Day on Friday 27 May.

From 07:00 on Friday 27 until 07:00 on Saturday 28 May, Garda, supported by the RSA and other stakeholders, will conduct a national speed enforcement operation.

The objective of the operation is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on Ireland's roads. The aim of 'Slow Down' is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive and inappropriate speed.

Figures for 2015 showed 27 fewer road deaths than in 2014, garda said that excessive or inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor to road traffic collisions.

To date this year there have been 68 road fatalities, 13 more than in 2015 by the same date.

The operation will consist of high visibility speed enforcement activities to include all 1,031 speed enforcement zones, as well as the delivery of a road safety message through the use of national, local and social media. In addition, Garda personnel will man display stands in key venues to provide road safety advice and distribute road safety leaflets.

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, Garda National Traffic Bureau, said: "As of today's date, 13 more people have died on our roads compared to this date last year, with excessive and inappropriate speed being a major factor in many of these collisions. We urgently need to focus on this stark fact and re-double our efforts to ensure our roads are as safe as they can be.

"We are asking all drivers to support the National 'Slow Down' day and not exceed the posted speed limit, but also as importantly, by adjusting their speed to all the road, traffic and weather conditions they face at that time. It goes without saying this is not only for one day, but for every day. We are asking people to support it, slow down and save lives."

(MH/JP)