The speed enforcement operation will continue throughout the weekend.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána have urged drivers to slow down and always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions.
At the launch of June Bank Holiday Road Safety Appeal and National Slow Down Day at NUI Galway on Thursday, Gardaí said they are mounting a national speed enforcement operation.
It will consist of Slow Down Day, for a 24-hour period from 7am on Thursday 2 June to 7am on Friday 3 June, as well as focusing on enforcement of speed limits and other life saver offences over the June Bank Holiday Weekend.
“If we all slow down a little, we can make a big difference,” Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda Síochána said.
The World Health Organisation (2017) has estimated that a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% reduction in fatal collisions, and therefore reducing motorists’ speed is essential to improving safety on our roads.
“Remember that speeding is not worth the potential devastating loss of life or serious injury but also isn’t worth the very real risk of losing your licence – if you are detected speeding you will receive three penalty points on your licence, if you get 12 penalty points in three years you will lose your licence for six months. A lower threshold of seven points applies for learner drivers.
“Think of the impact a disqualification would have not only on your daily life but those who rely on you – family, friends, partners.”
Speed enforcement during Slow Down Day will consist of high visibility speed enforcement in 1,322 zones.
The Road Safety Authority will raise awareness of the enforcement campaign with advertising on national and local radio plus social media.
The RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are also providing free cups of coffee to drivers to help combat driver fatigue over the bank holiday weekend. The offer is available from 2pm to 8pm on Friday 3 June and on Monday 6 June.
To date in 2022 there have been 70 fatalities on the road. This is an increase of 26 deaths compared to the same date last year.
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