Over 600 drivers caught speeding in 24 hours as caution urged after tragic year on Irish roads

A total of 630 drivers have been detected speeding in the past 24 hours, Gardaí have said.

An Garda Síochána carried out a Slow Down Day operation from 7am on Friday, during which 281 drivers were intercepted. Gardaí said this was a reduction on detection rates during other similar campaigns.

Examples of the high speeds detected this weekend were 73km/h in a 50 zone on Pontoon Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo; 82km/h in a 60 zone in Cookstown, Dublin 24; 108km/h in an 80 zone in Baile An Phoill, Co Galway and 136km/h in a 100 zone on the N18 Ballinacurra Weston in Co Limerick.

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Drivers are being urged to be mindful of slowing down, especially over the busy Christmas period. Ahead of this weekend, Taoiseach Simon Harris called on road users to take extra precaution this Christmas while driving following a tragic year on Irish roads.

According to the latest Garda numbers, 168 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, 67 of whom were drivers, 35 who were passengers, 33 pedestrians, 17 motorcyclists, 11 cyclists, four people on e-scooters and one person classed as pillion passenger/other. The total is a slight reduction on last year, when there were 179 road deaths by December 20 2023.

“One road fatality is one too many. Sadly, there are too many dinner tables this Christmas that will have an empty seat,” Mr Harris said.

“As many people travel across the country in the coming days, I am urging drivers to take extra care on the roads and to prioritise safety when travelling to reunite with family and friends.”

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