Campaign by students aims to curb rise in road deaths

The rise in road deaths in the South-West last year is a key focus of students aiming to improve safety on and off campus at Cork Institute of Technology.

As students prepare to release individual balloons in memory of the 186 people who died on Irish roads last year, CIT students’ union welfare officer Niamh Hayes said it was sad the number of deaths in Co Cork rose by 50% to 27 in 2011, despite a national decrease.

Personal safety and health, including a programme aimed at increasing awareness about drinking habits, are also part of the campaign, which is in its eighth year at the college’s main campus in Bishopstown.