By Emma Ryan
THE Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council has reminded drivers that just one slip of concentration on the road can change lives forever.
Cllr. Martin Harley made his comments ahead of a road safety event which takes place this week.
The importance of road safety and the dangers that exist on roads will be highlighted to Donegal students at the Road Safe Show in the Aura Leisure Centre, Letterkenny tomorrow and Wednesday at 11am.
The Road Safe Road Show is a unique partnership between Donegal County Council and members of the Donegal Road Safety Working Group which provides a platform to positively influence the driving behaviour of young students as they commence their driving careers or who travel as passengers in cars.
Cllr Harley said the Road Safe Show is a very important event in our Road Safety Programme as it sends a clear message to young people that a road traffic collision affects many people, from the immediate family and friends, to the emergency services who have to attend the horrific scenes of a collision.
To date in 2023, five people have tragically lost their lives on Donegal roads.
Cllr Harley continued by saying that he and his family have had to go through the sadness of losing a loved one themselves and they are all too aware of the heartbreak and suffering that it brings to families.
“We all need to be reminded that just one slip of concentration on the road can change lives forever and this message is particularly important for young people to hear, so that they are aware of the dangers as they learn to drive,” Cllr Harley.
The show will be seen by over 3,000 students from Donegal’s post-primary schools and Youthreach centres.
It is a sad fact that almost everyone knows someone who has been killed or seriously injured in a road traffic collision.
This show offers our young people the opportunity to learn about the consequences of poor driving behaviour on our roads.
Chris Harley, Road Safety Officer stated there is still a large percentage of road users who do not take road safety seriously.
“Young drivers are frequently to blame for dangerous driving and far too many families continue to suffer the consequences of a road traffic collision.
“We need to get the message to all road users, that before they get into a car with a driver who exceeds the speed limit, or someone who may be under the influence of drink, or who has taken drugs, or by not wearing their seatbelts, or who use their mobile phone while driving, to stop and think, because the devastation and heartbreak that is brought on your family and on the local community as a result of a road traffic collision is totally avoidable.
“No family should have to suffer the pain and loss of a loved one because of a road traffic collision.
“We are delighted that the show continues to receive the support from all schools and we thank all the speakers involved for their continued commitment to the Road Safe Show, as this show could not take place without their support,” said Mr Harley.
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