General
A Road Safety Message that Won't Make a Mug of You!
10, Jun 2009 - 19:59

Why not break an age old tradition this Father’s Day and instead of resorting to uninspiring gifts like socks and CDs, and give your Dad a unique, practical and wise gift that will remind him to keep  safe all year round when behind the wheel a road safety mug.

The Road Safety Office  of Mayo County Council has produced a mug with a difference. This mug contains road safety messages for its user: Wear Seat Belts,Never Drink &   Drive and Never Speed.

Mayo County Council's Road Safety Mug.

More than 3,200 people — the equivalent of eight jumbo jets — die in road crashes every day. What are we doing to tackle this global disaster?

We are asking all fathers to lead by example on fathers day and everyday they get behind the wheel to drive, to drive safely and for all sons and daughters to remind there fathers of the dangers on our roads. 

"Last year 279 people who were killed in road collisions in Ireland. While we do take some encouragement in the fact that the number is down, it is still a tragic waste of life", said Mr. Noel Gibbons Road Safety Officer.

"Statistics show that more accidents occur in the summer months than at any other time of the year which is why we are organising a number of events in Co Mayo.''

Michael Rowland of the Road Safety Authority advices all fathers/guardians to exercise care, caution and consideration towards all road users at all times.  Parents play a crucial role in imparting road safety knowledge to their children and developing an understanding of the risks involved.

It is important that as a parent you think about the lessons you are teaching your children and the examples you are setting each time you sit behind the wheel.  Research shows that the way young adults act behind the wheel has a great deal to do with what they have seen since they were toddlers travelling as passengers in the back seat of your car.  “It is vital that we all take greater personal responsibility to stop the carnage on our roads”, he said.

The campaign is being promoted in local newspapers and radio stations to raise road safety awareness.

The message is clear to all drivers DON'T BE A MUG - drive safely!