Gardaí will conduct a National Slow Down Day today while the RSA warns drivers to stay vigilant as children return to school this week. 

The Slow Down Day is in effect from 7am today until 7am tomorrow.

Gardaí aim to “remind motorists of the dangers of speeding” and “increase overall compliance with speed limits in place”. 

They warned as summer ends, seasonal weather “creeps in” with darker evenings and more challenging driving conditions. 

Gardaí also noted people should be particularly careful on the road as they adjust to the return of schools across the country. 

“Additional traffic will be on the roads, in particular younger vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and school buses dropping and collecting school children,” a spokesperson said. 

Return to school

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has also warned drivers to be more careful as nearly all schools nationwide return. 

According to the RSA, 34 children were killed and a further 592 were seriously injured on Irish roads between 2019 and 2023. 

Some 33% of those children killed or seriously injured on the road were cyclists or pedestrians. 

RSA Spokesperson David Martin said drivers should be mindful of everyone using the road. 

“Bearing in mind that we’re back in school now and there is an increased amount of traffic on the road, we’re asking people to be really careful,” he said. 

“Slow down and be aware of children on their way to school.” 

Speeding car. Image: Jeanette Teare / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Martin also said it is important parents teach their children about road safety, whether they are travelling to school by car, bus, bike or on foot. 

He advised children to remain “very cautious” on their commute to school. 

“Keep your wits about you and if you have any doubt crossing the road, stop, pause, look both ways – and take your time,” he said. 

Some 126 people have died on Irish roads in 2024 so far across 115 collisions. 

According to Gardaí, over 70,000 drivers have been issued charges for speeding by June 2024 – over 375 drivers per day.

Additional reporting by Joe Caulfield.