OPERATION ‘SLOW DOWN’, a Garda initiative to tackle speed on Irish roads, began this morning and will continue through 7am Saturday.

The Traffic Corps hopes to raise awareness of the dangers of inappropriate and excessive speed and reduce the number of related collisions and deaths as a result.

For the past six years, there has been a year-on-year decrease in the number of road fatalities in Ireland but so far in 2012 there have been four more deaths than at this time last year.

That comes after a particularly disastrous June which saw 25 people lose their lives on Irish roads.

Why today?

Historically, the highest number of deaths occur on Fridays and Saturdays. July and August are also typically the worst months on Irish roads.

Ninety-seven people have died in collisions so far this year, with more than half of those incidents occurring at the weekend (Friday to Sunday). In the past five years, 226 people have been killed during July and August on Irish roads.

Speaking at the launch of today’s operation, Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan explained that a speed limit is “not a target” but the maximum that may be travelled when conditions are perfect.

“We are appealing to all vehicle drivers to keep within the speed limits, and when necessary, slow down. The time lost by reducing your speed by 5 or 10 km/h on a long journey is insignificant, but the increase in road safety terms to you and all around you is very significant,” he added.

Each Garda division has set up an area where members are available to give road safety advice and distribute leaflets. Gardaí will also be leading by example and have promised to reduce their speed.

Public and private sector fleet operators have been asked to participate in the initiative by circulating employees with the key message to “Slow Down” and, whether driving for business or private purposes, to always drive within the speed and at a speed appropriate to the prevailing conditions.

There will be highly visible speed checkpoints on national primary and secondary roads, carried out by local members and the Garda Traffic Corps, and also by GoSafe vans.

More: Gardaí to run operation to get drivers to slow down>