Drivers urged to slow down
“There are some drivers who ignore our speed limits and put themselves and others at risk.”
Those were the words of Superintendent Thomas Murphy, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, ahead of Slow Down Day which began this morning, Thursday, at 7am and will run until 7am on Friday.
The aim of Slow Down Day, which is taking place in the run up to the October Bank Holiday weekend, 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.
The overall objective is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. International research has estimated that 30 per cent of fatal collisions are the result of speeding or inappropriate speed.
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are urging motorists to reduce their speed and be mindful of vulnerable road users.
Speaking at the launch of Slow Down Day and the October Bank Holiday appeal which took place in Cork city on Wednesday, Superintendent Murphy, said: “It is important to thank all of those drivers who do the right thing and drive not only within the necessary speed limits, but at speeds that are appropriate to the conditions. However, there are some drivers who ignore our speed limits and put themselves and others at risk.
“This is especially true on rural roads which are often narrow, and where bends and corners restrict a driver’s vision.”
He added: “There are no margins for error on these roads which is why drivers need to slow down when using them. We are asking all drivers to support our National Slow Down Day not just on Slow Down Day but every day. If we all slow down a little, we can make a big difference.”
A one per cent reduction in average speed will bring about a four per cent reduction in fatal collisions, and therefore reducing motorists’ speed is essential to improving road safety,” concluded the superintendent.
While An Garda Síochána will be focusing its enforcement activity across all speed limit zones, there will be a focus on rural roads. This is because almost four out of five fatalities to date this year have occurred on rural roads. These are roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or above. Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton said: “I am also urging all road users to take extra care over the Bank Holiday Weekend as the clocks go back. With evenings getting darker earlier now it’s important to look out for each other and be seen when on the road.”
,Sam Waide, CEO of the Road Safety Authority said: “A speed limit is there to keep road users safe, it is the maximum legal speed that a driver can travel on a given road type. However, it is not a target. You should always choose a speed that is appropriate to the conditions and your experience.By slowing down you give yourself time and space to react in an emergency.
“The faster you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in a collision which could result in death or serious injury. This is particularly true for vulnerable road users. If hit at 60km/h, nine out of ten pedestrians will be killed. Hit at 30km/h, nine out of ten will survive.”