Warning as gardai out in force on Kilkenny’s roads from tomorrow morning

Motorists are being urged to drive safer by “easing off on the accelerator” on Kilkenny’s roads.

The appeal by An Garda Siochána comes as National Slow Down Day comes into effect at 7am tomorrow.

The 24-hour Garda action will consist of high visibility speed enforcement in 1,322 speed enforcement zones across Kilkenny and the rest of the country.

There has been 20 fatalities on Irish roads so far this year. This is down from 26 deaths at the same time in 2020, but there is considerably less traffic on our roads this year due to Covid restrictions. There has been a single road fatality in Kilkenny during the first three months of 2021.

Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon of the Roads Policing Bureau said: “While most drivers and riders drive safely and within these limits, there are unfortunately still those who do not.

“National Slow Down day is about making our roads and our communities safer. During the current Covid-19 restrictions we have seen an increase in the number of vulnerable users on our roads. Despite reduced volumes of traffic on our roads the levels of speed has increased.”

Superintendent McMahon said a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 4% reduction in fatal collisions.

He added: “We are asking all drivers to support our National ‘Slow Down’ day and not exceed the posted speed limit.”