The road safety equivalent of the Oscars took  place 13th May in the Mall Castlebar  Co.Mayo, where three budding video producers received awards for their production of one minute road safety adverts which will be posted on You Tube for other young people to view.

Mayo County Council Road Safety Oscars, L/R Eric O'Sullivan (Toons & Balloons), Rosemarie Roche, Rebecca Comer, Noel Gibbons (Mayo County Council Road Safety Officer), Stephen McHugh, Jack Boyle and Mary Mahon (Foroige Leader). Pic Michael McLaughlin

The competition attracted entries from all over the County and following an exhaustive elimination process a panel of judges have selected three winning Road Safety adverts. The competition was aimed primarily at 18-35 year olds and its purpose was to build road safety awareness within this age group.

Stephen McHugh is pictured at the Mayo County Council Road Safety Oscars. Pic Michael McLaughlin

Martin Belkins (Lithuania and Castlebar) is pictured at the Mayo County Council Road Safety Oscars. Pic Michael McLaughlin

“When we came up with this idea we really didn’t expect the high number of entries we received.  We knew there was a healthy interest in film making in the region but the fact that so many young people took the time to enter quality films completely took us by surprise said Mr Eric O Sullivan from Toons and Ballons who sponsored a free days activity for the first prize winner”.

Mr. Noel Gibbons, road safety officer of Mayo County Council –expressed his delight at this novel initiative and believes that the concept of educating young people about road carnage is best served through imaginative competitions such as this.

“As road safety officer I’m always looking for new angles to get the important road messages across and the fact that so many young people entered this competition proves that if you provide the proper platform you will get a positive response”.

All the winning videos have been placed on You tube where other young people can view them, the links are:

Turlough Foroige Club - Speak up to Slow Down (1st place)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01yg4Uv8Fag
 
Martin Petkus - Report Drink Driving (2nd place)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vCqpPAAhes
 
Foroige Club - Road Safety Awareness Video (3rd place)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibnTD6u2yuY