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.

But the most visible aspect is six crashed cars dotted around the college grounds to remind students of the consequences of bad and dangerous driving.

“These vehicles have been involved in real crashes, they were provided by a recovery service which works with the emergency services and removes them from crash scenes,” said Ms Hayes.

On Thursday afternoon, a car crash will be re-enacted, allowing students the chance to see the difficult job faced by fire and emergency services cutting open vehicles after accidents.

“I have no doubt students will take notice. If one life is saved, the week will be a complete success,” said Ms Hayes.

She said the campaign is particularly pertinent after recent figures show the 27 road deaths in Co Cork last year were 50% higher than the 18 in 2010, even though the number fell nationally.

A seminar on road safety in Cork last week heard drivers aged 17-24 were four times more likely than others to be killed because of excessive speed and almost one-in-three people killed on the roads were pedestrians.

Hundreds of students drive to CIT every day, and Ms Hayes said changes to the rules for grants this year have led to an increase in the numbers using the roads and college parking.

“They are living at home now instead, we definitely see more of that because the student accommodation is very quiet compared to other years,” she said.

A Road Safety Authority Shuttle Bus is on campus all week, featuring a driving simulator and information about road safety, with students and staff being offered free reflective gear for walking, jogging, cycling or using motorbikes.

Other events planned include workshops on bicycle and car safety checks, training in defibrillator use and self-defence classes.

A website dedicated to staff and students at CIT will be launched on Thursday, allowing them answer questions about their drinking habits and offering them contact details for services if their answers suggest they may have issues around alcohol use.