Watch out for children on the road... From Today.. National Slow Down Day in Ireland .. Road Safety Authority, Gardai urge extra caution

National Slow Down Day, Aimed at reducing road accidents and making road travel safer in Ireland, observe Slow Down Day today from 7am on September 2nd for 24 hours (until 7am on September 3rd).

During this time, the Garda will set up special checkpoints in different parts of the country and conduct speed checks of vehicles. On Slow Down Day Gardaí are asking everyone to drive at the speed limit. Keep the road safety in mind and drive at a reduced speed on the following days as well. Gardai will hold National Slow Down Day today, while the RSA is warning drivers to take care as children head back to school this week. Slow down day is from 7 AM today to 7 AM tomorrow (24 HRS).

Gardaí aim to "remind motorists of the dangers of speeding" and "increase overall compliance with speed limits in place". is They warned that as summer draws to a close, the seasonal weather "changes" with darker evenings and more challenging driving conditions.

Gardai also advised people to be particularly careful on the roads as schools across the country coincided with the return of schools. "There will be extra traffic on the roads, particularly vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists and school buses dropping off and collecting school children,"

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned drivers to take extra care as all schools across the country return. According to the RSA, 34 children were killed and 592 seriously injured on Irish roads between 2019 and 2023. So far in 2024, 

126 people have died on Irish roads in 115 collisions. According to gardaí, more than 70,000 drivers were issued speeding charges in June 2024 - 375 drivers per day. 33% of children killed or seriously injured on the road were cyclists or pedestrians. RSA spokesman David Martin said drivers should be aware of all road users.

• "Slow down and watch the kids on the way to school."
• Martin said it's important for parents to teach their children about road safety when they go to school by car, bus, bike or on foot.
• He advised children to remain "extremely cautious" on their journey to school.

"Keep your wits about you, if you're in any doubt about crossing the road, stop, pause, look both ways - take your time,"