Kildare Motorists Urged to Slow Down For National Slow Down Day

Sunday, 1 September 2024 12:22

By Tara Flanagan

Gardai appeal to motorists to reduce their speed ahead of National Slow Down Day Monday September 2nd

The aim of National Slow Down Day is to remind motorists of the dangers of speeding, to increase overall compliance with speed limits in place nationwide and to deter those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.

Gardai are appealing to all motorists to reduce their speed ahead of National Slow Down Day which takes place from 7am Monday morning until 7am on Tuesday morning.

As summer draws to a close, seasonal weather changes creep in and we look to shorter, darker evenings ahead; driving conditions will become more challenging. With the return of schools across the country, additional traffic will be on the roads, in particular younger vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and school buses dropping and collecting school children.

Gardai are reminding motorists that no matter how good the road and weather conditions are, any increase in speed will significantly increase the likelihood of being involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision.

Last year, saw an increase in fatal road traffic collisions, with a total of 184 people losing their lives in 173 fatal collisions. This compares to 154 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022 – a 19% increase on 2022.

Up to end of June 2024 over 70,000 fixed charge notices had been issued to drivers driving in excess of the speed limit, over 375 drivers every day (Garda and GoSafe detections).

National Slow Down Day encourages a conversation on speed and road safety. Conversations on road safety should not only take place in the aftermath of fatal road traffic collisions, this is too late; These conversations should take place every day.