The number of deaths on Irish roads last month makes National Slow Down Day 'even more relevant', the Assistant Garda Commissioner for Roads Policing has said.
Paula Hilman was speaking as An Garda Síochána is carrying out a national speed enforcement operation for 24 hours from 7am today until 7am on Tuesday.
There have been 127 deaths on Irish roads so far this year; that is 23 more than the same period last year and 38 more than in 2019.
One-in-three of all deaths to date this year were people under the age of 25, and around one-in-four were pedestrians.
Assistant Commissioner Hilman told Newstalk Breakfast the numbers are 'stark'.
"In August alone, we've seen a really tragic month where a quarter of all roads deaths have occured within the month of August," she said.
"Internally we send out operational orders for the likes of today... and when I signed that operational order on the 15th of August, it said there'd been 105 road deaths on Irish roads.
"Today, two weeks later, it's 127 - and I think that is really stark.
"It's a reminder for all of us, not just on Slow Down Day, but every day of the year to slow down.
"Today had been planned in terms of our return to school campaign, but I think what we've seen on Irish roads this year, and especially in August, it makes it even more relevant today."
'Environment and road design'
Assistant Commissioner Hilman said enforcing road safety is just one element.
"Enforcement on it's own, while it's a significant part of road safety, will not achieve all the reduction that we need," she said.
"I think we really need to look at certain areas like environment and road design: what are we doing when we identify blackspots... and also education."
Assistant Commissioner Hilman said any changes that reduce road deaths are to be welcomed.
"I know there are some changes, I know the Minister has announced changes to legislation," she said.
"Legislation is Government, and we will enforce the legislation that Government implements.
"I think anything that reduces road deaths, anything in terms of consequences of enforcement, and if it reduces road deaths is to be welcomed," she added.
Members of An Garda Síochána performing random vehicle checks in Co Donegal in September 2020. Picture by: PA Images / Alamy Stock PhotoThe aim of aim of National Slow Down Day is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, to increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.
The day is picked to coincide with the full return of schools and the related increase in roads users, particularly vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and younger road users.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% reduction in fatal collisions.
An Garda Síochána and Go Safe have detected over 105,000 drivers to the end of August driving in excess of the posted speed limit.
