A total of 211 drivers have been detected speeding on Irish roads so far under their bank holiday roads policing operation, with one motorist detected travelling at 196km/h in a 100km/h zone in Cavan.
The driver in question was caught speeding at almost twice the legal limit on the N55 at Kilcogy.
Since 7am yesterday, almost 85,000 vehicles have been checked for speeding as part of the August Bank Holiday road safety operation targeting poor driving behaviours.
Gardaí said it is positive that the majority of motorists were found to be within the designated speed.
However, 211 drivers were detected travelling over the limit, including some significant cases:
One motorist was caught travelling at 141km/h in an 80km/h zone on the N81 at Tullow in Co Carlow, while another was detected travelling at 106km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Monaghan Road, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
Another driver was detected at just under 90km/h in a 50km/h zone in Murntown, Co Wexford.
Chief Superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Jane Humphries, said: "Our August Bank Holiday roads policing operation has been under way since first thing yesterday morning.
"While we are generally seeing good levels of compliance with speed limits on roads around Ireland, I am gravely concerned by the risks taken by some drivers.
"Anyone that is prepared to drive at dangerously excessive speeds, like those we've already detected, has the potential to destroy lives - if not their own - others too.
"We are out conducting checkpoints and using our technology to detect those speeding nationwide," she said.
"Speeding is one of the foremost dangerous driving behaviours, along with using your phone while driving and being distracted.
"Please slow down and drive safely today and over the rest of the long weekend ahead as so many of us take to the roads."
Read more:
Concern over younger people using apps while driving
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee urged people "to slow down, drive with care and never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs".
In a social media post, Ms McEntee added: "Someone using a mobile phone, whether in the hand or on hands-free, is four times more likely to be involved in a collision".
Someone using a mobile phone, whether in the hand or on hands-free, is four times more likely to be involved in a collision.
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) August 2, 2024
Please slow down, drive with care and never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/H4EC0C6Fom
