Gardaí urge Mayo drivers to slow down as 17 lives lost on Irish roads in 2026

Motorists across Mayo are being urged to ease off the accelerator today (Wednesday, February 18) as An Garda Síochána marks the first National Slow Down Day of 2026.

Gardaí attached to the Mayo-Roscommon-Longford Division are carrying out speed enforcement checkpoints on national routes, regional roads and in towns and villages throughout the county as part of the nationwide road safety initiative.

As of today, 17 people have lost their lives on Irish roads in 2026. Speed remains one of the leading causes of serious and fatal collisions.

Inspector David Tiernan of the Divisional Roads Policing Unit said the campaign is focused on prevention and saving lives.

“As Gardaí working in Roads Policing every day, we see first-hand the devastation that road traffic collisions cause. Behind every statistic is a family, a friend, a colleague or a community whose life has been changed forever,” he said.

Speed limits ‘not targets’

Gardaí stressed that National Slow Down Day is not about catching drivers out or issuing fines, but about encouraging safer driving habits.

READ MORE: €69 million roads funding boost for Mayo welcomed by Minister Dillon

Speed checks today are being conducted at locations selected based on collision data, traffic volume and community concerns.

“Speed limits are not targets. They are the maximum safe speed for ideal conditions,” Inspector Tiernan said. “Weather, traffic, visibility and road conditions can all mean drivers should travel well below the posted limit.”

He warned that even small increases in speed can significantly raise both the risk of a collision and the severity of injuries.

Recent Mayo incidents

The warning comes amid a series of serious speeding detections in Mayo in recent weeks.

On the N5 during a Yellow Weather Warning for low temperatures and ice, Mayo Roads Policing officers detected a vehicle travelling at 171km/h in a 100km/h zone. The novice driver was arrested and charged with dangerous driving. 

In a separate incident between Knock and Ballyhaunis, a motorist was detected travelling at 128km/h in an 80km/h zone. Penalty points and fines were issued after Gardaí also noted a dangerously worn tyre.

On the N17 during the St Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend, several drivers were found travelling well above the 100km/h limit, while other checkpoints targeted drink and drug driving, mobile phone use and seatbelt offences.

READ MORE: Mayo County Council announce delays for north Mayo road users

Earlier this year on New Year’s Eve in Charlestown, another novice driver was arrested after being clocked at 161km/h on the N5 in near-freezing conditions.

Message for Mayo motorists

Drivers in Mayo are being asked to plan journeys carefully. Drivers are reminded to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting off, to allow extra time for journeys and to be mindful of vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Gardaí also highlighted the responsibility of commercial and professional drivers, noting that fatigue, long hours and deadlines can increase the temptation to speed.

“Road safety is not about one day in the year; it is about how we drive all year round,” Inspector Tiernan added. “If National Slow Down Day prevents even one serious collision, then it will have made a real difference.”

Gardaí are reminding all road users that slowing down by just a few kilometres per hour could ultimately mean the difference between life and death.