Donegal tops the list by location.
2019 has seen an increase in road deaths across Ireland, according to the latest figures released by An Garda Síochána ahead of National Slow Down Day 2019.
As the name suggests, motorists are being strongly urged to take more caution whilst on the road, particularly with regards to speeding.
The 24-hour safety initiative takes place across this Friday and Saturday – 18/19 October – from 7am until 7am.
The aim of National Slow Down Day is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, 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 Irish roads.
Thus far in 2019, 117 road fatalities have been recorded, an increase of 5 on this date last year.
2018’s overall total of 142 road deaths has been recognised as the lowest year on record but as An Garda Síochána note, that number is still 142 deaths too many.
“Road deaths are significantly higher than this period last year and with the darker, wetter weather approaching, vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists will be at higher risk over the coming months,” says Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary of the Roads Policing Bureau.
“Lowering speed is crucial for reducing injuries in the event of a collision and keeps everyone in the community safer. Please check your speed and support Slow Down day, not only on the day, but every day.”
In conjunction with the day, Gardaí have released a list of locations across Ireland where the highest speeds have been recorded in 2019 to date, as captured by GoSafe cameras.
The top five reads thus:
N15, Ballymagroarty, Scotch Ballintra, Donegal – 223 km/h in a 100 km/h zone
M18, Ballyline, Crusheen, Clare – 190 km/h in a 120 km/h zone
N55, Auburn, Glasson, Westmeath – 189 km/h in a 80 km/h zone
N20, Ballyfookeen, Bruree, Limerick – 188 km/h in a 60 km/h zone
N52, Ardcroney, Tipperary – 145 km/h in a 50 km/h zone
From 1 January – 31 August, there have been 95,998 speeding detections, a 15% increase on the same period in 2018.
Since 1 January, GoSafe have checked the speed of over 29 million vehicles on a 24/7 basis.
“Excessive or inappropriate speeding is a major factor in road traffic collisions,” notes a Garda statement.
“Safety cameras will be on the roads all across Ireland where fatal or injury collisions are happening as a result of inappropriate speed.”
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