Drop Down Menu
  Search...
 

Donegal students enact road carnage 25.04.08

THERE was a serious car crash at LYIT yesterday but the mangled vehicles and bruised bodies were all part of a mock collision to warn students about the dangers on Donegal roads.
Two cars were arranged to imitate a road traffic collision and young actors carried out the roles of the victims of the crash.
The Gardaí arrived at the scene first and carried out their necessary duties, followed by the fire service and ambulance service.
The accident enactment took place as part of a Road Safety Campaign on campus in conjunction with the Donegal Road Safety Working Group.
LYIT students' union welfare officer Patrick Brides said the aim of the campaign was to promote car safety both to young people and the general community. "This is a results-oriented campaign, targeting the key audiences aged 17 to 24 years old both male and female in a manner that produces an instant and strong response. We want to illustrate how an individual’s behaviour can have a major impact, such as wearing a seatbelt," he said.
The mock crash was also aimed at raising awareness about the lifelong impact road death has on the family and friends left behind.
Meanwhile, the Donegal Road Safety Working Group used the occasion to launch their latest anti-speeding campaign.
Road safety officer, Eamonn Brown cited research showing a significant increase in the percentage of cars exceeding the 50 km/h speed limit in urban residential areas.
"We need to realise that 5 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed if hit by a car travelling at 50km/h. So the message is simple: slow down and always drive at an appropriate speed.” Garda Inspector Pat O’Donnell urged drivers to report dangerous or suspicious driving to the Traffic Watch number 1890 205805.
The anti-speeding campaign will run for the next eight weeks and will be supported by radio and media advertising.

Return to > News