Today marks National Slow Down Day

It runs for 24 hours from 00:00 to 23:59 today, Wednesday April 9.

An Garda Síochána have detected a total of 125 vehicles travelling in excess of the speed limit already today.

Among them was a motorist travelling at 84km/h in a 60km/h Zone in Ashbourne Co. Meath.

An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders, is conducting the national speed enforcement operation.

It runs for 24 hours from 00:00 to 23:59 today, Wednesday April 9.

The aim of National #SlowDown Days is to remind motorists of the dangers of speeding, encourage a national conversation on the impact of speeding, to increase overall compliance with speed limits.

It is also to deter and detect those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.

Statistically, one in ten pedestrians hit by car travelling at 30km/h will die of their injuries.

Five in ten of those out walking and struck by a car travelling 50km/h will be killed, and a car being driven at 60km/h that hits a pedestrian has a nine in ten chance of the collision being fatal.

Already this year, more than 32,880 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to motorists for speeding; over 335 people every day.

Chief Superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau Jane Humphries said National Slow Down Day is "not about catching motorists speeding."

"In fact we would much prefer to not detect anyone breaking the speed limit," she continued.

"Our 24-hour targeted initiative is aimed at getting people to talk about their driving behaviour.

Ms Humphries asked people to be "more mindful" of their driving and the "risks that they may take when behind the wheel."

"We are asking that you chat to family, friends, colleague’s even neighbours. Please remind them to slow down, drive safely and without distraction," she urged.