They were fast. Gardaí were furious.
The five most insane examples of speeding offences committed on Irish roads this year have been revealed.
An Garda Síochána made the violations public ahead of National Slow Down Day this coming Friday, May 25.
The offences were taken from GoSafe safety cameras in 2018 so far and are ranked relative to the speed limits in place at the time. They are:
- 139km/h in a 50 km/h zone - R689 Gortnahoo, Thurles, Tipperary
- 131 km/h in a 60 km/h zone - R563 Faha East, Faha, Kerry
- 198 km/h in a 80 km/h zone - R397 Knockagowny, Longford
- 201 km/h in a 100 km/h zone - N3 Daggan, Cavan
- 177 km/h in a 120 km/h zone - M7, Oberstown, Naas, Kildare
National Slow Down Day will call on motorists across the country to reduce their speed from 7am on Friday until 7am on Saturday.
The national speed enforcement operation was planned alongside the Road Safety Authority and aims to save lives by reminding drivers of the dangers of speeding, and increasing compliance with speed limits.
"We appeal to all drivers to slow down and support our National Slow Down day. This will reduce injury and tragedy on the road, said Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy of the Roads Policing Bureau.
Did you know that crashing your car at 80km/h is like freefalling from a 25m building? National Slow down day is this Friday. Show your support by driving at an appropriate speed for the road. #SpeedKills @GardaTraffic pic.twitter.com/01cA2Vj3cJ
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) May 23, 2018
"Although last year was the safest on record in terms of road safety, there is no room for complacency."
A total of 157 people died on Irish roads in 2017 - the lowest number on record.
There have been 58 road fatalities in 2018 so far - a reduction of one in the same period last year - but authorities stress that much more is left to be done.
Ch Sup Murphy added: "We ask drivers to slow down not just on Slow Down day, but every day. We will continue to target irresponsible drivers who speed or put others at risk.
"This will be greatly enhanced by the 87 newly appointed Roads Policing members, which will increase to 150 by the end of 2018."
