Schools get the message of road safety facts

CHILDREN got stark details on road deaths yesterday at the launch of a road safety strategy.

The Kerry school children were told that 143 people have been killed on the county’s roads in the last decade, and that 19 people have died so far this year — five more than last year.

The grim facts were spelt out as Kerry County Council launched its Road Safety Strategy 2008-2012, in Tralee.

In co-operation with the gardaí, Road Safety Authority, Health Service Executive, and National Roads Authority, the strategy highlights who is most at risk on Kerry roads and the times of the week when accidents are more likely to happen.

Young males aged 17-34 are most at risk, while the weekends show the highest level of fatal road traffic accidents.

The time when the greatest number of collisions happens is between 11pm and 4am.

“When you look at the tragic accidents on Kerry roads, you are not just talking about the loss of life,” Kerry mayor Tom Fleming stated.

“You also have to look at the impact on those left behind, heartbroken families, communities and work colleagues. The tragedy leaves an impact on a large number of people for many, many years.”

Charlie O’Sullivan, the council’s director of roads, transportation and safety, made a special plea for safety awareness at Christmas to ensure families did not have to cope with the loss of a loved one during the festive season.

Also yesterday, primary school pupils from Kerry demonstrated their artistic skills to highlight road safety in the 2009 Kerry County Council Road Safety Calendar competition.

Twelve pupils were presented with the 2009 road safety calendar, featuring their artwork, by the mayor Fleming.

Students were invited to enter a poster for one of two themes, ‘Getting Safely to School’ and ‘Live by the Rules of the Road’.

The winners from the Getting Safely to School theme included Kevin Brouder, Killocrim; Alison O’Meara, Kiltallagh; Niamh Hanley, Cahir; Aoife Enright, Dromclough; Katie O’Brien, Blennerville and Joanne McDermott, Tarbert.

Winners of the ‘Live by the Rules of the Road’ theme were Laura Cavanagh, Ardfert; Caoimhe Geoghegan, Tarbert; Aisling de Baróid, Lios Póil; Jeanie Leahy, Dromclough; Gene Moriarty, Killocrim, and Úna Quill, Lissivigeen.