Wednesday February 25 marked Natioal #SlowDown Day, this campaign by the Road Safety Authority highligted the key messages surrounding speed and road safety.

National #SlowDown Day aimed to encourage a national conversation on speed and road safety, highlighting the impact of speeding on road safety, and promoting compliance with speed limits across Ireland. Despite the day’s focus on speed enforcement, the lessons from the event are something we should all carry with us beyond the 25th.

Here are essential driving safety tips to consider every time you hit the road:

1.Respect Speed Limits
It’s crucial to always adhere to posted speed limits. These limits are carefully set to reflect the conditions of the road and potential hazards. By sticking to the speed limits, you reduce the risk of accidents and give yourself more time to react in an emergency.

2.Adjust Speed for Conditions
Speed limits are set for optimal conditions, but weather, traffic, and road conditions can change rapidly. It’s essential to adjust your speed according to these conditions. Rain, fog, or icy roads require slower speeds, and driving too fast in these situations can lead to disastrous outcomes.

3. Pedestrian Safety: Understand the Impact
Speeding is particularly dangerous in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Research shows that the faster a vehicle is traveling, the higher the risk of fatal injury for pedestrians. At 30 km/h, the chance of survival is 90%, but that number dramatically decreases at higher speeds. Always drive cautiously near schools, parks, and pedestrian crossings.

4. Plan Your Journey to Avoid Rushing
One of the leading causes of speeding is rushing to get to a destination. By planning your journey ahead of time and allowing yourself enough time to reach your destination, you can avoid feeling pressured to drive too fast. Remember, arriving safely is more important than arriving quickly.

5. Employer Responsibility for Road Safety
For employers whose employees drive as part of their work, it’s essential to promote good driving practices. This includes allowing sufficient travel time, avoiding contact with employees while they’re driving, and fostering a culture of safety. Employers play a critical role in ensuring the safety of employees on the road.

6. Understand the Consequences of Speeding
Speeding not only reduces your ability to react in time, but it also increases the severity of an accident if one occurs. The higher the speed, the greater the potential for devastating consequences. National #SlowDown Day was a reminder that reducing your speed can save lives.

7. Ongoing Enforcement and Education
In 2024, over 145,000 Fixed Charge Notices were issued to drivers exceeding speed limits. This high level of enforcement demonstrates the ongoing efforts to promote safer roads. However, enforcement alone is not enough. Road safety requires all of us to be proactive, adjust our driving habits, and be mindful of others on the road.

Related News

jarlath burns 1-2
GAA President Burns to maintain Scariff Harbour Festival's links with Northern Ireland & GAA
michael mcnamara 3
AI offers generational opportunity for Mid-West to become Ireland's digital home - McNamara
shannon airport departures 1-2
Passenger numbers up 7% to 1.04m for first half of 2025 at Shannon Airport
shannon airport fencing 2
Shannon Airport install new security fencing following recent breaches

Advertisement

Latest News
shannon airport departures 1-2
Passenger numbers up 7% to 1.04m for first half of 2025 at Shannon Airport
shannon airport fencing 2
Shannon Airport install new security fencing following recent breaches
1 DSC_9466
'There's no way we're not going to go again' - O'Donnell says no decisions made but exits from Clare camp unlikely
Killaloe-bridge
Trial pedestrianisation period announced for Killaloe to Ballina Bridge
brendan o'mara
Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot
Premium
monaghan v clare 29-06-25 roisin considine jennifer duffy 1
Monaghan make their mark & send Clare out of ladies football championship
éire óg v doora barefield 29-06-25 cusack cup 1
Éire Óg win Cusack Cup for second time with dominant extra time display
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 liam murphy gearoid o'shea james o'donnell 1
Déise deserving winners over Clare in All-Ireland minor final
tipperary v clare camogie 28-06-25 niamh costigan roisin begley 1
Tipp thump Clare but Carmody's charges still have All-Ireland quarter-final to look forward to
laurel lodge 07-11-23 3
Laurel Lodge resident further remanded in custody for alleged assault of retired judge

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement