MORE THAN 172,400 speed checks have been carried out across the country as part of the gardaí’s national slow down day.

Officers have nabbed 261 drivers travelling in excess of the speed limit as part of the 24-hour initiative which started at 7am today and finished at 7pm. 

The gardaí released some “notable speeds” recorded so far today:

•  87 km/h in a 50 km/h Zone on the R118 Rock Road, Dublin 4, Dublin
• 82 km/h in a 60km/h Zone on the N54 Cornecassa, Demesne, Monaghan
• 154 km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N20 Kilmona, Grenagh, Cork
• 115 km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the N55 Auburn, Glasson, Westmeath
• 143 km/h in a 100 km/h Zone on the N26 Ballynahaglish, Ballina, Mayo
• 138 km/h in a 100 km/h Zone on the R132 Mell, Killineer, Louth
• 128 km/h in a 100 km/h Zone on the N18, Cratloe, Clare
• 153 km/h in a 120 km/h Zone on the M7 Ballyshaneduff Or The Derries, Ballybrittas, Laois

The aim of the annual operation is to save lives and reduce the number of speed related injuries on Irish roads.

In appealing to the public to slow down the gardaí, the Road Safety Authority and GoSafe noted that excessive or inappropriate speeding is a major factor in road traffic collisions.

As part of the operation safety cameras have been placed on roads all across Ireland where fatal or injury collisions are happening as a result of inappropriate speed.

National slow down day will finish at 7am tomorrow.