A motorist travelling at 177km/h in a 120km/h zone was among 665 drivers detected speeding on Irish roads during a garda 'slow down' day, which ended this morning.
The driver was travelling on the M6 near Tyrrellspass in Co Westmeath, when their vehicle was detected at a speed nearly 60km/h faster than the 120km/h speed limit.
A total of 157,298 vehicles were checked between 7am yesterday and 7am this morning during the National Slow Down Day.
Gardaí said that while most drivers were found to be complying with speed limits, there were some "alarming detections".
One driver was arrested for dangerous driving and charged by gardaí for travelling at 136km/h in a 50km/h zone in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
Another motorist was detected travelling at 162km/h in a 100km/h zone in Oranmore, Co Galway yesterday evening.
The driver was also found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently arrested.
Other examples of high speeds during the 24-hour period included a driver clocked at 78km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Leopardstown Road in Co Dublin and another driver travelling at 116km/h in an 80km/h zone on the N17 in Achonry, Co Sligo.
Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said the initiative is "about making Irish roads safer for all who use them".
She said: "The reality is that excessive and inappropriate speed continues to contribute to serious road traffic collisions that cause life-altering injuries and even fatality.
"It's positive that yesterday’s detections indicate that motorists are generally making an effort to comply with speed limits around the country, however, it is the poor action and the risks taken by few that can be most detrimental.
"While the vast majority of drivers drive safely within the speed limits, and it is most welcome, there still remain those who continue to drive at excessive speeds. We will maintain our focus on non-compliant drivers as they pose a risk to themselves and other road users."
Last year, 184 people died on Irish roads - up 19% on 2022.
So far this year, 127 people have lost their lives on the roads.
