Pedestrians 'should use hi-vis jackets when out walking'

Pedestrians are being urged to make it a New Year's resolution to wear a high vis jacket when they are out walking.

195 people were killed on the country's roads in 2014, and it was the second year in a row that saw an increase in road deaths.

Forty-two pedestrians have been killed in road accidents since the start of the year.

Noel Gibbons, road safety officer with Mayo County Council, says drivers should also carry a hi-vis jacket in their cars.

Mr Gibbons said: "They're free through the Road Safety Authority website, you can log on to the site and order the hi-vis there.

"Most houses usually have two or three jackets now, so we're just asking people to make use of them now rather than just have them lying in the house, just bring them with them in the car.

"Also if they have a spare one and they do meet a pedestrian that doesn't have one, to do a good deed and give them a hi-vis jacket."