A motorist was detected travelling at 129km/h in a 100km/h zone in Co Clare yesterday during National Slowdown Day.
A second driver was found doing 69km/h near in Ennis where the maximum speed was 50km/h. That motorist also failed a roadside drugs test.
An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders, conducted a national speed enforcement operation – National #Slowdown Day – which ended at 7.00am today.
Throughout this National #Slowdown Day, members of An Garda Síochána, along with GoSafe Mobile and Static Safety Cameras, detected a total of 1,286 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.
Of those detections, 600 drivers were intercepted by Gardaí.
One driver was detected travelling at 129km/h in a 100km/ zone on the N18 at Bunratty while a motorist was stopped by the by the Roads Policing Unit on the Quin Road in Ennis.
That driver was found to be to travelling at 69km/h in a 50km/h zone but when stopped, also failed a roadside drugs test for cocaine.
The motorist was arrested and conveyed to Ennis Garda Station where a blood sample was taken and sent for analysis. The driver was issued with a Fixed Charge Notice (FCN) of €160 for the speeding offence while 3 penalty points were also issued.
An example of offences detected during National Slowdown Day
129km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N18, Bunratty, Co. Clare
98km/h in a 60km/h Zone on the R147, Dunboyne, Co. Meath
95km/h in a 50km/h Zone on the R680 Cork Road, Co. Waterford
85km/h in a 60km/h Zone, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
78km/h in a 60km/h Zone on the L2115, Barnaderg, Co. Galway
Speeding detections for this #SlowDown Day has unfortunately seen an increase on figures from previous, recent 24-hour National #SlowDown Day operations. This is disappointing evidence that some drivers continue to ignore speed limits despite widespread public commentary and coverage regarding safety on our roads. An Garda Síochána is reiterating to motorists that road safety is a shared responsibility and everyone has a personal responsibility to slow down and exercise caution when travelling on our road network.
A Garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána conducts a number of high profile National #SlowDown Days every year. The aim of National #SlowDown Days is to remind motorists of the dangers of speeding, encourage a national conversation on the impact of speeding, to increase overall compliance with speed limits in place nationwide and to deter and detect those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.”
