General
Shock Valentine
By Noel Gibbons
11, Feb 2010 - 23:26

Car crashes are the number one killers of YOUNG MEN in Ireland. The 17 to 24 year old cohort of males account for just over one in five driver deaths (22%) - yet this age group represent just 6% of the population. For every kilometre driven, a 17 year-old male is eight times more likely to be involved in a crash than is a middle-aged man.

The weekend is the most dangerous time of the week to use the roads. Almost 60% of fatal crashes take place on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mayo County Council is taking road safety to heart by sending Valentines day cards to young male drivers,the cards will be delivered before Valentines day. Mayo County Council is delivering 1000 cards with a hard hitting messages to men aged between 16 and 25 urging them to keep their girlfriends safe by driving carefully.

The card-distributed through Galway Mayo Institute of Technology will arrive with the words ''For My Girlfriend'' handwritten on them.

Road Safety Officer Noel Gibbons said ''When the young person opens it he will find a message in-side saying ''I'm sorry , I didn't mean to kill you. I was driving too fast'.

''He added young drivers are often vulnerable to peer pressure and risk-taking. It is hoped the campaign will drive home the message that more young females die as passengers than as drivers.They often become victims while being driven by their boyfriends.

The Castlebar campus not only has students from Co. Mayo but from all corners of the Country, travelling primarily by car to and from home. Road safety and awareness is something which affects all students from those travelling to college by car, bicycle or on foot.

It is unfortunate to read statistics from Mayo Co Co that despite a 14% national average reduction in road fatalities Co. Mayo remains the same over the past 3 years. What is promising is the reduction in serious injuries sustained reduced significantly from 28 to 19 during the same period. (Stats provided by mayo Coco)

Clare Lawlor Vice president and Welfare officer for GMIT SU C-Bar has this to say "For Valentines the message is to inform those who we entrust with our lives while travelling not to risk our lives. Slow down, take care and be aware of others on the roads"

Alan Judge President for GMIT SU C-bar has this to say "Our students have the ability to spread this simple message not only in Mayo but across the country and to their own brothers, sisters, sons and daughters slow down, take care and be aware of others on the road"