Think safety on Mayo roads this National Slow Down Day
TODAY (Wednesday) An Garda Síochána in Mayo is supporting the first National Slow Down Day of 2026, a nationwide road safety initiative aimed at reminding all road users of the dangers of speeding and the very real consequences it can have.
As of today 17 people have lost their lives on the road in 2026. Speed remains one of the leading causes of the serious and fatal collisions on Irish roads, and today’s campaign is about encouraging drivers to slow down, take responsibility, and help save lives.
Working in roads policing every day, gardaí see first-hand the devastation that traffic collisions cause. Behind every statistic is a family, a friend, a colleague, or a community whose life has been changed forever.
Inspector David Tiernan of Mayo-Roscommon-Longford Roads Policing emphasised that National Slow Down Day is not about catching drivers out or issuing fines. It is about prevention, education, and protecting everyone who uses our roads.
Throughout today, gardaí will be carrying out speed checks at various locations, including national routes, regional roads, and within towns and villages. These locations are chosen based on collision data, traffic volume, and community concerns.
“Our aim is to deter speeding behaviour and to remind drivers that speed limits are there for a reason,” he said.
Speed limits are not targets. They are the maximum safe speed for ideal conditions. Weather, traffic, visibility, and road conditions can all mean that drivers should travel well below the posted limit.
Even small increases in speed greatly raise the risk of a collision and the severity of injuries if a crash occurs. Slowing down by just a few kilometres per hour can make the difference between life and death.
He added: “We are asking all drivers today to take a moment before starting their journey. Leave a little earlier, be patient, and accept that arriving safely is far more important than arriving quickly.
“Speeding rarely saves significant time, but it greatly increases danger for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
“National Slow Down Day is also an opportunity for communities to reflect on road safety. Parents, schools, employers, and local groups all play a role in promoting road safety.”
For professional and commercial drivers, today is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with driving for work. Fatigue, deadlines, and long hours can increase the temptation to speed. Employers and drivers alike must prioritise safety over schedules.
Enforcement is only one part of road safety. Education and personal responsibility are just as important. Drivers are asked not to slow down only where they see a garda checkpoint, but to adopt safer driving habits every day.
Road safety is not about one day in the year; it is about how we drive all year round.
Said Inspector Tiernan: “On behalf of Divisional Roads Policing, I urge every road user today to slow down, stay alert, and look out for one another.
“If National Slow Down Day prevents even one serious collision, then it will have made a real difference.”