Shocking speeds in Laois on Slow Down Day

MULTIPLE motorists were caught speeding in Laois on National Slow Down Day today, with 169kph among the high speeds recorded.

A driver pulling a caravan at 120kph on a motorway, despite a restriction to 80kph, was among those doing well above the speed limit.

Another driver was caught travelling at 110kph in an 80kph zone on the R445 road in Portlaoise.

Radar checks on motorway routes in the county also recorded vehicles zooming along at far above the 120kph limit.

Some motorway speeds recorded in Laois included 143kph, 149kph, 160kph and a whopping 169kph.

Posting images from some of the radar checks on the An Garda Síochána Laois Offaly Facebook page, gardaí said: ‘Some detections from National Slow Down Day today in Laois. Quite a few motorists clearly didn't get the message.’ 

The second National Slow Down Day of 2025 began at midnight and continues until midnight tonight. The 24-hour enforcement operation is conducted in association with the Road Safety Authority(RSA).

In a national update at 6pm, gardaí said that 671 vehicles were recorded travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

Urging drivers to support the initiative by slowing down, gardaí said: ‘As spring arrives in Ireland and there is a longer period of daylight, we can expect an increase in vulnerable road users, pedestrians and cyclists with more people out and about.

‘While gardaí work tirelessly 365 days of the year to help people safe on Ireland’s road network, they alone cannot prevent all fatal road traffic collisions – An Garda Síochána needs everyone’s help and support.’