Clare motorist caught speeding during Slow Down Day tests positive for cocaine

An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, conducted a 24-hour enforcement operation - National Slow Down Day – on Wednesday

placeholder image — An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, conducted a 24-hour enforcement operation - National Slow Down Day – on Wednesday

Gardai detect hundreds of speeding vehicles during 24-hour clampdown

A Clare motorist who was caught speeding during a 24-hour garda clampdown, tested positive for cocaine when stopped, gardai have revealed.

An Garda Síochána, in partnership with the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, conducted a 24-hour enforcement operation - National Slow Down Day – on Wednesday.

It was the second such operation this year and gardai have confirmed that more than 1,200 vehicles were detected travelling in excess of the posted speed limit at locations across the country.

In Clare, members of the Roads Policing Unit in Ennis detected one car which was travelling at at 69km/h in a 50km/h zone at Quin Road in the town.

"The driver failed a roadside drugs test for cocaine and was arrested, a blood sample has been sent for testing, and a Fixed Charge Notice of €160 and 3 points issued to them," read a post on social media.

Another detection in Clare, which has been highlighted, relates to a vehicle which was travelling at 129km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N18 at Bunratty.

Gardai say the aim of National Slow Down Day 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 in place nationwide and to deter and detect those that are intent on driving at excessive or inappropriate speed.

In the case of those caught speeding during Wednesday's operation, Fixed Charge Penalty Notices will be issued and penalty points will be applied to the licence of the drivers.