Castlebar - County Mayo - Don't take the risk

Drivers who get behind the wheel "the morning after" are being warned they could lose their licence. The Mayo Road Safety Together working group says motorists should think twice about driving if they have been drinking the night before. The "don't take the risk, don't take the car" campaign will be launched in Westport as part of the August bank hoilday weekend road safety campaign. Road safety materials will be placed at train stations around the County to educate commuters on road safety issues.

Westport has become a very popular social venue over the past few years, so an appeal is being made to all people socializing to be aware of the effects of the night before, to use public transport or allow time for the effects of the night before to wear off.

Local hotels and other licences premises are also being encouraged to support the campaign by installing breathalyzers in their premises for patrons to give an indication whether they are right to drive the morning after. One such hotel The Castecourt, Westport, which will have a breathalyzer for its guests to utilize in the morning before they go behind the wheel over the long weekend to highlight the dangers of the morning after. Some people are caught drink driving after drinking at home or at a friend's place rather than at a hotel, club or restaurant. People attending these sorts of informal get togethers need to heed the message. If you are the host, suggest a taxi and if you are the driver, ring a taxi, walk (if you are safe to do so) or get some one sober to drive you.

''Gardai on mobile patrol are detecting more drivers driving over the legal limit the 'morning after' this year than previous years in Co. Mayo. Due to the influx of tourists, Mayo's population increases significantly during the summer months. We will hope this awareness-raising campaign will act as an effective deterrent through the season.'' according to Sgt Joe McKenna Castlebar Garda headquarters .

Judge Mary Devins said she was saddened by the number of young drivers that were appearing in front of her court for drink driving related offences in recent times.

Noel Gibbons, Road Safety Officer Mayo County Council, said: "Many people believe the effects of alcohol will have worn off by morning and they will be fit to drive. People just don't realize that they may still be over the limit and may get caught and lose their licence and also may suffer the effects of fatigue which result in one in five fatal collisions."

“Drink driving and driving tired ruins lives. Last year 338 people died in a pointless, avoidable way - that's lives shattered and the dreams of family and friends devastated. Put simply, people who ignore the law put themselves and other innocent road users at risk. The consequences are tragic - 15% of fatal road crashes happened between 3am and 6 am in 2006”