An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have urged drivers and riders to slow down this Easter Bank Holiday as new figures show that nearly 45,000 fixed charge notices have been issued for speeding from January to March this year, an increase of 16.8% compared to the first three months of 2013 (44,753 v 38,313). From April 14th to April 21st, An Garda Síochána will be intensively target speeding vehicles.

While the majority of drivers and riders drive safely and within applicable speed limits, there are however many who do not. From 1st January -31st March this year, provisional figures indicate that a total of 44,753* fixed charge notices were issued for speeding.

On examination, the following results were found:-

9% of detections were made between 1 – 9 km/h above the posted speed limit

80% were made between 10 and 29 km/h above the posted speed limit

11%  of detections were for speeds in excess of 30 km/h above the limit

50km/ zones worst for speeding offences

Over the Easter period each Garda Division will carry out a series of targeted, high visibility checkpoints focussing on speeding and roads policing enforcement. These will incorporate both Divisional and District personnel, including Traffic Corps members. This high visibility enforcement activity aims to modify driver behaviour, identify breaches of all road traffic legislation and make the roads safer for all. The GoSafe network of safety cameras will also be deployed.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, Garda National Traffic Bureau, speaking today said:-

“Three people lost their lives over the Easter Bank Holiday in 2013. We can and must be safer on the roads and avoid this being replicated this Bank Holiday, a time when many people will travel to various parts of the country. Excessive or inappropriate speed is a significant factor in road traffic collisions so this week we are targeting those who fail to recognise this vital life saving fact .I’d like to thank those who drive responsibly however the increase in detections to date for speeding, whilst it shows significant roads policing activity, also shows that many drivers still refuse to abide by posted speed limit signs, sometimes by a very significant margin.”

Assistant Commissioner Twomey continued:- “To date in 2014 we have detected drivers travelling at two and almost three times the posted speed limit, on roads which you and I share. The damage caused in the event of a collision in these circumstances is immense, and most likely fatal. Please recognise this fact before it’s too late. Excessive or inappropriate speed causes devastation on our roads-there is no other way to put it. This high risk behaviour will continue to be intensively targeted and needs to change”

Mr. Michael Rowland, Director Road Safety Research & Driver Education said:- “While it is very disappointing to see so many drivers being detected for speeding offences it really does hammer home the fact that the Gardai are out in force targeting this killer behaviour. We simply must understand that a car at any speed is a lethal weapon. This is simply the laws of physics. It’s also very worrying to see that nearly half of all speeding detections being made are in 50 km/h zones. Roads which are associated with higher levels of pedestrian and cyclist activity. If hit by a car at 60 km/h nine out of ten pedestrians will be die so what a driver thinks are small margins above the speed limit could be the difference between life and death for a vulnerable road user.”