Shock tactics show horror of road accidents

THE horror of road traffic accidents was graphically brought home to more than 1,500 second-level students in Tralee yesterday.

Many were brought to tears on hearing first-hand accounts from victims and family members of the devastation caused by car crashes.

Some of the real life images used to drive the safety message home included a human brain coming out of an injured skull, a barely recognisable thigh bone and a girl’s pretty face ruined after an accident.

Kerry County Council road safety education officer Maria O’Regan said she was delighted with the huge turnout of pupils from about 20 schools around the county.

“The feedback from those attending was extremely positive. Many of students were touched emotionally by what they saw and heard,” she said.

“Fourteen people were killed on Kerry roads last year and our aim is to reduce this number. Hopefully, the shock factor will have an impact on young drivers.”

Among the speakers was Anne Tydings, from Lisselton, Co Kerry, whose son, Padraig, was killed in an accident on his 22nd birthday in 2004. He was a back-seat passenger in the car which crashed.

Another speaker was Anne Marie Russell, 24, who sustained serious leg injuries when the car in which she was a passenger crashed after the driver apparently fell asleep.

She is still on crutches, 13 months after the accident.

There were also talks by representatives of the gardaí, fire brigade and ambulance services and the A&E department of Kerry General Hospital.

Ms O’Regan described the road safety roadshow as a worthwhile event that should leave a lasting impression.