The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is delighted to be associated with the road safety campaign which is the central theme of this the 40th anniversary of the Castlebar International Four Day Walks Festival.  This is a unique opportunity to highlight the need to prevent deaths and serious injuries among pedestrians on Irish roads. In excess of 800 walkers will be participating in the festival over four days and this provides an excellent opportunity to instil personal safety as a walker and also to influence motorists to ensure that they are aware of vulnerable road users.

Every participant in the walks will be provided with a high visibility vest, which can mean the difference between been seen or not, being involved in a collision or not, life or death.

Noel Brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority said "1 in 4 of all people killed on our roads are pedestrians. That means that 39 pedestrians have been killed on our roads so far in 2007.  Pedestrians, and in particular children and older people are most vulnerable on our roads. We are using this festival to appeal to all pedestrians to wear high visibility clothing and at a minimum to always wear a high visibility vest. We also appeal to drivers to be aware of vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists and children."