Motorist caught driving 50% above speed limit in Offaly

Gardai detected a motorist travelling at 120kph in an 80kph zone near Birr this morning.

The day is being operated by An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders.

The aim of today’s initiative is to promote safer driving and reduce speed-related collisions nationwide, coinciding with increased road use for Christmas holidays.

So far this National #Slowdown Day, members of An Garda Síochána, along with GoSafe mobile and static safety cameras, have detected nearly 150 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

Examples of high speeds detected include:

• 119km/h in a 50km/hr zone on the Drummartin Link Road in Dublin 14

• 139 km/h in a 60km/hr zone on the Dublin Road in Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow

• 120 km/h in a 80km/hr zone on the N52 road in Mounthenry, Birr, Co. Offaly

• 156 km/h in a 100km/hr zone on the N11 road in Kereight, Crossabeg, Co. Wexford

• 163 km/h in a 120km/hr zone on the M6 road in Killavally, Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath

An Garda Síochána say National #SlowDown Days are aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of speeding.

These operations serve to remind motorists of the serious risks associated with excessive or inappropriate speed, promote greater compliance with speed limits and support efforts to deter and detect dangerous driving behaviours.

Driving above the legal speed limit – or at a speed unsuitable for current road, weather or traffic conditions – not only endangers the driver but also puts other road users at significant risk.

Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to respond to unexpected hazards and increases the likelihood of losing control, which can result in serious or fatal collisions.

Speeding can have devastating consequences – not just for the driver, but for other innocent road users. The faster a vehicle is travelling, the more severe the impact in the event of a collision.